Countless sports and recreation facilities in Alberta are opening up and welcoming locals back after a year of fluctuating restrictions.

One of them is the field house in Aldersyde, which has a new name to go along with its return.

The facility was newly christened the Cavalry FC Regional Field House in reference to their new sponsorship from the Cavalry FC soccer team.

They will be hosting an open house this Saturday (Aug. 14) in order to celebrate the facility's return and its name change.

Foothills County Deputy Reeve Rob Siewert, who also co-chairs the Foothills-Okotoks Recreation Society, says it's an exciting time for them.

"It's exciting to be back open, This past 18 months have been very difficult for the field house and for any recreation facility in Alberta. The closing, the opening, the pivoting back and forth, never knowing what we're doing. But it's great to be back open, seeing the building being used. Lots of excitement and anticipation over what the future holds."

Ian Allison, president and chief operating officer at Spruce Meadows, where the Cavalry FC plays their home games on the ATCO Field, believes the partnership will go a long way to strengthen the relationship between Cavalry FC and the county.

"While Spruce Meadows itself is globally recognized, and I guess our main port of entry is YYC in Calgary, we've long, for the last 45-plus years, been proud residents of the MD and now the county of the Foothills. So while we do border the southern end of the city of Calgary, it was a conscious decision on our behalf to name the club Cavalry FC, while many thought it should've been Calgary Cavalry or that sort of thing."

He says the name change for the facility was agreed upon some time ago, but they wanted to wait until the field house was back open before unveiling it.

For Cavalry FC's head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr., having the team's name associated with a facility that brings in so many young athletes is a point of pride.

"You've always got to start on your doorstep. Being in Foothills County, it's imperative that we get out and support our community if, in turn, we want them to support us. It takes a village to raise a child. That's what we're trying to do, create that village where we're all helping each other, especially in current times."

Originally hailing from England, he's also glad to have another big soccer connection so close to Okotoks, a town that's home to a relatively high number of Brits.

"It bridges that connection to back home. When you've grown up with the game, to support your local side is great. Having played there in Okotoks at the high school, we always used to have everyone from The George pub come over to the games afterwards. It almost replicated a very English atmosphere.

"When you come down to Spruce Meadows and hear the foot soldiers sing and you see the environment with the nice green grass pitch, it's a great connection for the community," says Wheeldon Jr.

Siewert also highlighted the dedication that two local politicians showed regarding the facility.

"I think it's good to point out a couple of the driving people behind this facility when it was built, who were co-chairs for a number of years on the board that manages the facility. Our late Reeve Larry Spilak and late Mayor Bill Robertson were a key piece to this building, not only the building of it but also the operation of it over the years. They've both passed away in this last year, and we're very thankful for their contributions to this field house and everything it's been."

To welcome facility users back and to celebrate their new name, the field house is hosting an open house on Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will include a free hotdog lunch, bubble soccer, Nerf capture the flag, and a chance to meet a few Cavalry FC players.

 

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