Leamington, ON – A major gap in sports facilities at the new Leamington District Secondary School (LDSS) that is due to open in September has prompted local greenhouse grower NatureFresh™ Farms to come forward in a major way. NatureFresh™ along with the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB), and South Essex Fabricating Inc. announced Tuesday, May 30th a partnership to build ‘NatureFresh Field’ at the new school.
“Our investment in this initiative is one that thousands of students and the local community will benefit from for decades to come”, said Peter Quiring, Owner & President. A state of the art track & related sports field will be constructed on the grounds of the new Leamington District Secondary School that is scheduled to open in September 2017. The project calls for an 8 lane rubberized track, Football & Soccer fields, high jump & shot put areas to name a few. Ground levelling has already begun with full construction expected to start in the next week.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Peter Quiring & NatureFresh™ Farms are getting involved with this project, the entire community will benefit from these facilities for years to come”, stated Erin Kelly, Director of Education, GECDSB.
Funded by NatureFresh Farms, South Essex Fabricating, and extensive local community initiatives, the goal of raising $1.5 million has been set to complete the elaborate project. Quiring has pledged upwards of $250,000 in support of the new ‘NatureFresh Field’ including the coordination of the fundraising efforts through the company’s “Operation Flag Pole Campaign”.
“Operation Flag Pole is fuelled by the community; we need their support to make this massive project a reality and to raise the flag up the pole”, said Chris Veillon, Director of Marketing. The Operation Flag Pole Program is driven by NatureFresh™ Farms to generate support in the community. A number of local corporations are stepping forward to help with the project.
“Having attended LDSS many years ago and played on the Varsity Soccer team, I know what it is like to have access to quality training facilities”, said John Patterson, Mayor of Leamington. Patterson joked with the crowd that he woke during the night and wondered if he could wear his old high school jacket to the ground-breaking then realized that like his soccer career, the jacket had long since been retired. “The Leamington community is fortunate to have local entrepreneurs like Peter Quiring who are giving back. This investment in NatureFresh Field is one that our entire region will enjoy for many years to come. We are very fortunate to experience this level of generosity”, said Patterson.
In collaboration with the LDSS School Council, fundraising activities will kick in to high gear in the coming weeks.
The project can be tracked online by visiting NatureFreshField.ca; viewers will be able to watch the flag move up the flagpole as funds are raised. A photo gallery will also highlight the various activities & construction of NatureFresh Field in the coming months.
To learn more about NatureFresh™ Farms, please visit NatureFresh.ca.
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About NatureFresh Farms™ –
NatureFresh Farms™ has grown to become one of the largest independent, vertically integrated greenhouse vegetable growers in North America. Growing in Leamington, ON and Delta, OH, NatureFresh™ Farms prides itself on exceptional flavor & quality. Family owned NatureFresh Farms™ ships Non-GMO greenhouse grown produce year-round to key retailers throughout North America.
Source: NatureFresh Farms™
