Working together to make track rebuild project a reality

Julie-Anne Staehli, Canadian Olympian and Pan American Games Medalist uses the Goderich track to train while visiting home.

In need of resurfacing, the Goderich Track Rebuild Committee is working diligently to raise the necessary funds to refurbish the Goderich track.

The town boasts a thriving running community, with an impressive number of Boston Marathon qualifiers relative to its population. The area also hosts numerous well-supported races, including the popular Race Huron series.

The track is frequently utilized for school, regional, and district track and field meet.

Additionally, the track serves as a popular venue for walkers and runners in town. Notably, local Olympian and Pan Am Games bronze medalist Julie-Anne Staehli trains on this track when visiting her family in Huron County.

Originally, funds for the track were raised in the 1980s when Goderich’s own Teresa Donnelly served as student president of GDCI.

The track was resurfaced in the early 2000s but is now in need of a major overhaul to ensure it remains safe and accessible for all members of the community.

It is the aim that the new track be part of a larger revitalization project, which includes a refurbished basketball court and brand-new, improved beach volleyball courts.

In addition, there would be new and improved jumping pits and a shot-put field. Most importantly, it would be accessible to everyone.

Many local businesses and service clubs have generously supported the effort to rebuild the track.

However, the committee is still working toward its goal of raising over $500,000. Every $1,000 raised means one metre of the track, bringing the committee closer to making this project a reality.

Larger contributions of $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000 are also greatly appreciated and will be recognized with donor plaques.

The track facility’s naming rights may also be available in recognition of a generous donation.

The committee encourages neighbourhoods, friends, and families to come together and sponsor a metre.

The ‘Back Street Girls’ on Caledonia Terrace pooled their resources to buy a metre and are now challenging other groups to do the same.

If you would like to support this worthy project, please send your donations via e-transfers to goderichtrackrebuild@gmail.com