The new field house in east Saint John was officially named the Irving Oil Field House on Sept. 16, 2019. (Photo: Brad Perry/CHSJ News)
It took more than 6 years and over 27 million dollars but, the Irving Oil Field House is complete.
The 127,000 square-foot facility includes turf fields, a track, a gym, daycare care, meeting rooms and a newcomer centre.
Bill MacMackin with the Field House says the facility will provide community and sports recreation for the region with summer sports and events that can come indoors that couldn’t be offered before.
He says the other key component is the events.
“We’ve ultimately built a facility here that can host sporting events in eastern Canada that otherwise couldn’t come here particularly around track and field,” MacMackin said.
It was announced in September that Irving Oil would have naming rights for the facility and contribute $2 million dollars to its capital campaign.
The fitness centre in the Irving Oil Field House.
(submitted)
The Saint John YMCA signed a five-year operating agreement last year with the field house board.
President and CEO Shilo Boucher tells us the newcomer centre, daycare and after-school facility are working really well.
“In terms of newcomers, we are already welcoming some of our newcomers on the east side which allows them a whole different realm of opportunities in terms of housing and employment. So that’s working really well,” Boucher said.
Come help us break in the new Irving Oil Field House! All are welcome to our Grand Opening Event this Saturday, November 9th, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. pic.twitter.com/EZ6FgSYTOB
— YMCA Saint John (@Y_SaintJohn) November 5, 2019
MacMackin says the facility’s first event is coming up on November 23rd with mostly provincial athletes.
“A chance for us to test drive our equipment and the track and get some bugs worked out. We go fully into gear with five events after Christmas.” MacMackin said.
Everyone gets a chance to check out the Irving Oil Field House grand opening at 129 McAllister Drive this Saturday, November 9th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will feature tours and demonstrations.
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