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FALL RIVER: <\/strong>The Multi-Sport Artificial Turf Field set to be built in Fall River is on the five-yard line and needs just an extra push from the community to get across the touchdown line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Announced last year with the three levels of government putting in a total of $4.72 million for the $4.9 million project, members of the HRM Northern Suburban Area Community Turf Committee are making a plea to those in the Enfield to Beaver Bank, Sackville, and Fall River communities to help them bring in the $213,000 community contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea for the turf field began about five years ago when the seed for it was planted with some of the committee members at a SAC meeting at Lockview High.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That money is needed to be raised before work can begin on the project, and the committee has a deadline of March 15, 2024, to collect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The federal government through MP Darrell Samson is putting in $1.96 million; the province is giving $1,63 from MLA Brian Wong; and HRM is putting in $1.13 million through the advocacy and support of the project from Deputy Mayor Cathy Deagle Gammon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HRM\u2019s contribution is actually more as they will be taking over the operation and maintaining costs of the facility once its built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”31″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”34″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n The design of the facility is underway, construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, without the community contribution to the project, construction will not begin, the committee members told The Laker News in an interview Jan. 7 at he Tim Hortons in Fall River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have to raise that $213,000 in the next two-and-a-half months,\u201d said Heighway.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n One issue they\u2019re running into is some people haven\u2019t heard about the turf field being approved, despite the big announcement of it happening last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOnce people learn and become aware of it more, I think they will donate,\u201d said Sara Wood. \u2018It\u2019s going to be a big benefit to our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny donation helps us out, $5, $10, $20, or whatever donation you can make helps us get to that $213,000 and the touchdown line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Multi-Sport Turf field will be built on the site of Lockview High where the current football field is. It will be for a variety of sports, not just football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”71″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”127″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Turf field will encompass rugby; football; lacrosse; soccer; and other sports; a walking and running track (width of track will depend on grading of site) and other uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the goals is to provide health benefits and active senior living inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HRCE owns the land and supports the build of the project on the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It will also include an Indigenous program space along with lighting and washrooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our video story from the announcement: (video shot and edited by Dagley Media)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n