Bold Center sports fields expansion approved

Bold Centre expansion includes campgrounds, ball diamonds, sports field totalling over $7 million

Development of phase two for the Bold Center’s sports fields will start this fall, and will be completed in the Spring of 2021.

Lac La Biche residents can look forward to three new ball diamonds and a natural irrigated sports field, which will be used by J.A. Williams High School, as well as Portage College.

Omer Moghrabi, Mayor of Lac La Biche, said the sports fields are a much-needed asset for the town, and something he has always wanted to accomplish during his time as Mayor.

“This community has always been very active in sports, and I certainly didn’t want to be the Mayor that left with no sports fields, so that’s why we are moving forward,” says Moghrabi.

The Bold Center sports fields are estimated to cost roughly $6.4 million, and an Edmonton-based contracting company, Wilco Contractors Nortwest Inc. will be working on the project.

“There is a lot of money going into it, but when they built the high school, they didn’t take into consideration putting money aside for sports fields, which is an important asset to not only the high school but the community,” says Moghrabi. 

Moghrabi believes having sports fields will help promote a happier, healthier community, while also bringing in sports tourism to the area, which could help Lac La Biche’s economy as well.

“It’s important to participate and to get out. It’s good to get people active, and so in the end, it’s good for people’s health, it reduces obesity, and it reduces diabetes,” says Moghrabi.

“Also you can run tournaments, you can run events for the track and field. We can have events for people so it brings everybody to the Bold Center, one of the nicest centers in the province of our size.”

Campgrounds coming

The Bold Center will also be adding in a new campground, which will be up and running by the summer of 2021.

The total cost being given to the Bold Center campgrounds is $1 million, and this is another project that could bring more tourism to the area, especially when the Bold Center hosts sporting events and activities.