The Carleton Place Soccer Club and its over
1000 players and 700 families benefit from the strong and cooperative
relationships that it exists between the Township of Beckwith,
Town of Carleton Place, and the Town of Mississippi Mills.
The high quality stock of fields the Club uses
has been developed in cooperation with the Towns, and in the
case of the field complex growing at Notre Dame Catholic High
School, the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.
Each of the partners has contributed land, time, and/or money
to build soccer. The Club has also paid its share of various
projects, including 38% of the expansion of Beckwith Park. Recently
the Club contributed to the expanded watering system at Notre
Dame and the new full size field at the High School that should
be ready for play in 2005.
The Towns have been receptive to the requests
of the Soccer Club for additional fields to keep ahead of the
steady growth in soccer registration and population. The Towns
manage upkeep of fields. Grass cutting, garbage collection,
benches, and portable toilets are some of the important services
supplied by the Towns or contracted by the Club. The Recreation
Department of CP, on a contract basis, lines fields for the
Club.
The working relationships are more than just
business. Joe Crampton, Recreation Director of CP, is always
out front doing his best because he says, “ It’s
all about the kids.” Ross Trimble and Darwin Nolan in
Beckwith Township pitch in to make Beckwith Park the biggest
and best soccer facility in the area.
There have been many people with vision who
saw the wave of soccer building and looked ahead. Past Presidents
Sean Redmond and Gerald Kirby were instrumental from the Club
viewpoint in the Notre Dame project. Beckwith Reeve Richard
Kidd spearheaded Beckwith Park expansion in a cooperative effort
with the Club Board. All parties paid a share of these projects.
There are new faces in our communities, the
Soccer Club, and around all the Council tables. Who knows where
the next vision will take us? There have been suggestions from
the community of an artificial turf field to increase use, conserve
space and reduce maintenance costs. Some even dream bigger of
a multi-use covered facility to allow soccer and other field
activities to be played year-round. If you want to be part of
the vision, whatever that vision may become, contact the Soccer
Club or your municipal recreation committee or Town council.
Everyone is welcome!
