A half million-dollar grant and great working relationship with the city, so much to be thankful for in Western School Division  

There were big smiles on the faces of two Western School Division (WSD) trustees serving on the Ad Hoc Committee for Discovery Trails School (DTS) full-size track and soccer field, Darcy Wolfe and David Guenther, as they shook hands with Morden Mayor Brandon Burley in front of the new DTS construction site, now a hub of activity with construction in full swing on the K-8 school, at the west end of Parkhill Dr, set to open next school year. 

Wolfe explained why his smile was extra big. 

"The good news today is the Province of Manitoba saw the value of the Discovery Track and Soccer Field Project we're working on here in Morden and gave us a grant of $500,000, which represents half of the cost of the actual track and field facilities. So, we're super excited about the fact they saw the value in the project. And realize this is something our community has been looking forward to and needing for a long time. It is going to be a great benefit to young and old people who have lived here all their lives and to newcomers here in Morden."  

Last week, the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Grant selected 42 Large Capital projects in Manitoba for projects that improve the quality, accessibility and availabilities of facilities and spaces needed for arts, culture and amateur sport programming activities, with DTS Track and Soccer Project as one of them. 

Wolfe explained what this money means for reaching their goal of $1.4 million to build a full-size track and soccer field next to the new school with bleachers and other amenities to support this kind of investment. 

"Right now, with this $500,000 grant, along with donations from local businesses and other organizations here in Morden, we're roughly halfway. We're just over $700,000. So, we're going to continue going out and asking local businesses for their support. And later this year or probably around the time school starts, we're going to have a website we're going to open up, which will allow the general public to donate, and we're hoping to announce soon a local group that's going to match some of those community donations." 

Wolfe was quick to add gratitude to the City of Morden on behalf of Western School Division. 

"I'm very excited. This grant application would have never happened without the help of the City of Morden, and I think, right now, the citizens of Morden should be very pleased with the really good working relationship the school division has with the city. They helped us apply for this grant and we are very thankful to the province and we're also very thankful to the city and the work that they've put into this grant application. It's really an amazing partnership and we're really happy to be working with them so well." 

Mayor Brandon Burley chimed in with appreciation for the great working relationship to move a project like this forward, together. He said the city was pleased to apply on behalf of the division as the eligible partner to apply for funding for this project.  

He noted the city is excited to help find more funding sources now.  

"I think for the community as a whole and private investors and businesses, it shows the value of this proposal the province of Manitoba has seen it and has deemed it investment worthy. So, we're excited to be able to help move Western School Division much closer to their goal of being able to build this full-size track and soccer field, that will benefit the northwest quadrant of the city. We're, also, excited to continue to partner as we see this recreational area come to fruition."  

Work on the DTS Track and Soccer Field Project is set to begin in Spring of 2024 to be ready for opening day in September.