Mark Warawa, MP - Langley - MacLeod Athletic Park upgraded

September 15, 2011

MacLeod Athletic Park upgraded

Langley Advance September 15, 2011

Enhancements to allow for more youth football at McLeod Athletic Park are now finished.

A $370,000 upgrade to the McLeod Athletic Park will let football players play later at night, and store more equipment.

Lighting was added to an under-utilized grass field on the north side of Langley Secondary School, west of McLeod Athletic Park’s grandstand, to allow football to be played later into the night, and an extension was added to the grandstand building to create two rooms that will store bulky football equipment.

The project was funded by three levels of government, including the federal government’s Recreation Infrastructure Canada grant of $102,000, $100,000 in provincial gambling funds, money from Langley Township’s Neighbourhood Initiative Program, and money from the Langley Minor Football Association.

Members of Langley Minor Football were joined by MP Mark Warawa and Township Mayor Rick Green at MAP this past Tuesday to officially unveil the new additions and upgrades, which Langley Minor Football president Wayne McMurchy hopes will lead to an increased interest in the sport.

“We want to get kids playing football and we want to fill that grandstand,” McMurchy said.

A new, fully-functioning concession, complete with a grill and commercial dishwasher, has been added to the grandstand building, facing the field. Langley Minor Football will manage the concession, and make it available to other user groups and for special events. Stairs will also be constructed in the future to give better access to upstairs storage space.

Not only will the improvements make it easier for Langley Minor Football teams to practice and play, they will also benefit high school football teams, Rams junior football, and North Langley Minor Football. From June to December, McLeod Athletic Park will be a designated football facility, giving the sport full access to the fields, buildings, and grandstand.

There are currently 350 young people involved in Langley Minor Football, and McMurchy hopes the enhanced facilities will bring more players – and fans – out to enjoy the sport.

“Any opportunity to get young people involved in sports is worthwhile, and the improvements to McLeod Athletic Park will help raise football’s profile in our community,” said Green.