Boyd Stadium project gets off the ground

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This article was published 25/03/2017 (3286 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A year after the untimely death of beloved football coach Kevin Boyd, his dream of developing a new stadium for local youth is gaining momentum.

Close friend and colleague, Blaine Moroz, said it is a bittersweet time as they launch the fundraising campaign for Boyd Stadium.

“I never thought that this would be the name that was on it,” Moroz said. “He should be beside me, instead of watching over me, but we’ll do his legacy true with this project.”

Moroz is the president of Westman Youth Football Association — an organization he has been involved with since 2004. Boyd was heavily involved with WYFA and coached for more than 23 years in Westman.

WYFA is spearheading the stadium project, which began after they acquired land through a donation from Simplot Millennium Park.

Extensive planning has been done, outlining three phases for the project, estimated to cost $880,000. Now that they are officially registered through the National Sport Trust Fund, they are ready to solicit sponsorship and donations from the Brandon and Westman community. Being a part of the NSTF, they can issue tax eligible receipts.

“I really think that us being a community league, this being a community project, we’re not pitching it within the walls of Brandon … I think that’s really going to open up the availability for fundraising,” Moroz said. “I’m hoping that the community will step up and take this on as they’ve taken on so many other projects.”

Phase 1 will include the construction of two football fields, installation of irrigation and goal posts. Phase 2 will see the installation of poles and field lights, construction of a parking lot and scoreboard installation. Phase 3 includes the construction of a clubhouse building, field equipment shed, picnic area, pathways, signage, landscaping and fencing.

“Our vision is to have a place that we can accommodate from the smallest and youngest athletes, up to professional levels so that we can really just keep exposing and growing the sport,” Moroz said.

The goal is to attract regional and national tournaments, as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp.

Boyd Stadium will meet the needs of the local football community, as the sport continues to grow in the region. The number of children registered to play with WYFA last year was 325, up significantly from five years ago when there were approximately 175. Players range from the age of seven to 14 years.

“Football has taken on kind of a life of its own over the last five-six years,” Moroz said, adding they have brought teams from surrounding Westman towns. When the league began in 2000, there were 48 players.

“As many kids as we can get playing football, that’s kind of what it’s all about.”

The stadium will be the new permanent home of WYFA, as well as the Westman Wolverines. WYFA has operated on public school property since its inception. While they are grateful to the schools, Moroz said it can be difficult to secure field times.

“It’s just high time that we have a place of our own, so we can dictate our own schedule, and manage our own league as we see fit,” Moroz said. “But huge kudos to Crocus Plains and every other school that’s accommodated our league over the last 17 years.”

The stadium’s building will include four change rooms, referee rooms, canteen and washrooms. There will be special tributes to Boyd throughout the facility, including photos in the walk-through entrance, as well as the colour schemes for the change rooms, which will be a nod to his favourite football teams — Crocus Plainsmen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Oakland Raiders and Michigan Wolverines.

Jordana Boyd said it is a great honour to have her late husband’s name attached to the project. Boyd passed away at the age of 46 on Feb. 29, 2016, after complications with stomach and liver issues.

“It’s nice to know that he’ll live on in that way,” she said. “I’m just super happy that youth football and the football in general in Westman is going to have a permanent home of its own … (Kevin) always wanted and hoped that football in Westman and Brandon would have a top quality facility.”

Jordana appreciates the efforts WYFA has taken over the past year to get the project to this point.

“Kevin’s name may be on the billboard, but it’s Blaine’s hard work that is bringing this to fruition,” she said.

Mayor Rick Chrest praised the volunteers involved with getting the stadium project off the ground.

“I can’t be anything but excited about a program like this that is going to provide more and more good recreation sport facilities in our community,” Chrest said, adding he is pleased to see a “great vision for attracting other tournaments and events” to the community.

For more information on Boyd Stadium and its fundraising campaign, visit wyfa.ca/boyd-stadium.

» jaustin@brandonsun.com

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