What started way back in 2003 as an idea discussed by former Cougars coach Mike Roach and Wildcats head coach Norbert Baharally finally came to complete fruition just before the start of the new football season: Wildcats now have a new change room in the football field house.
The construction of the fieldhouse was completed way back in 2009, but the inside furnishing of the structure was delayed due to lack of funding, among other factors.
So when Wildcats and Cougars first started to use the fieldhouse, it didn’t have much of the furniture that a change room would require.
The basic construction of the change room was completed in the winter of 2014 by the students of the building construction class with much support from volunteers. The year before that saw the completion of the central block, which includes the mechanical room, coaches’ offices, washrooms, showers and the central sink.
But intense fundraising and volunteer efforts made the facility ready just in time for the 2015 football season.
“The boys were happy to be out of the school and have a space of their own,” said Patty Steen, one of the volunteers and a football parent.
She added that the local businesses in Stettler and surrounding area came together to fund the project, along with Clearview School division and other community partners.
“I can’t say it enough, how great it is to live in a small community,” stated Steen.
“They were really happy and proud of the finished product tonight, as they walked in to dress for their first night of the fall camp,” said Steen.
The Wildcats’ season opener will be in St. Albert on Sept. 3.