Crunch time for Goderich Track Rebuild Committee to raise another $200,000

Members of SFM Wind providing a $5,000 donation to members of the Track Rebuild Committee.

In need of resurfacing, the Goderich Track located across the street from GDCI has been deemed unsafe and may soon be torn up and replaced with a stone dust track.

For the last two and a half years the Goderich Track Rebuild Committee has been working diligently to raise the necessary funds needed to refurbish and replacing the Goderich track, and to avoid moving ahead with a stone dust track.

Aiming for an asphalt track, this type of track will offer advantages over stone dust tracks, making it a preferred choice for track and field athletes.

Asphalt tracks have a longer lifespan, provide better shock absorption, are more weather resistant, easier to clean and maintain, and are designed to enhance performance.

Although this property is in the ownership of the school board, GDCI must rely solely on donations and grants to support this refurbishment project.

“We’ve had a great summer fundraising with a lot of local businesses as well as individuals showing their support,” expressed Corey Boyle, committee member.

There have been some major donations made throughout the last year, but most recently, SFM Wind donated $5,000, MicroAge Basics donated $5,000, 100 People Who Care donated over $3,000, TPI Enterprises donated $1,000 and the Mustangs ladies slo-pitch team donated $750 to the campaign.

The GDCI track and sports fields were completed in the 1980s after its students participated in numerous walk-a-thons and other fundraising activities to help fund the campaign.

Now, nearly 50 years of use, the track and sports fields are in dire need of refurbishment.

In the 1970s the Physical Education Department Head Lynn Meyers had a vision. He believed the students of Huron County deserved a quality running track and athletic courts.

With refurbishment, the track and sports fields could provide students and the community a place for recreation and sport for the next 50 years.

Despite a year of community support for this project, the committee explains that currently they have $220,000 from donations. To move forward with replacing the track, the committee needs to raise almost double to reach at least $400,000 by end of October.

“The school board has deemed the track unsafe to use, and so it will be dug out next spring,” Boyle explained.

“If we don’t have the money raised [by next spring], unfortunately they will have to move ahead with a stone dust track instead.”

Boyle further explains that because of the time it takes to get quotes from companies to replace the track, and contracts to be drawn and signed, the committee stressed that it must have the bulk of the money raised by October 31.

“We’ve seen the magic this community can do and we’re really hopeful that everyone will come together and help us make this project happen,” added Boyle.

“Whether it’s a donation -small or large – or supporting one of our barbecues, bottle drives or other fundraisers. Every little bit helps.”

The committee has also created an initiative that has been growing, where groups of people pool together donations and sponsor one metre of the track rebuild at a cost of $1,000.

If interested in supporting this campaign, the committee is hosting a fundraiser on October 15 at McDonalds in Goderich. A percentage of sales from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. will be donated to the track rebuild project.

Despite a tight deadline before the board makes a final decision, the Goderich Track Rebuild Committee must raise close to $400,000 by October 31.

Grateful for the support received to date, the committee remains hopeful for continued support from alumni and local businesses during this crunch time.

To donate directly use the link for the committee’s CanadaHelps account: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/132555