The new Oceanside Community track held its first event, a Jurassic race that featured runners dressed in T-Rex costumes.
It was one of the fun events featured in the Celebration Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, aimed at thanking a host of people, local governments, businesses, organizations and athletes, who all played a part in making the all-season rubberized six-lane track at Ballenas Secondary School a reality.
Among the many guests at the celebration were four-time Olympian, high jumper Michael Mason, who started his athletic career in Parksville and trained at the old Ballenas track and field course; and four-time Paralympian Michelle Stilwell.
“I do recall being out here every lunch hour, playing in the field, playing soccer, doing some training here, doing some running and high jump,” said Mason, who graduated high school at Ballenas. “I made do with what was here. This track looks amazing. It’s going to be amazing for the athletes here, for the kids, One effort to get it built, just congratulations. It’s just fantastic the effort everyone put in to make this happen.”
Mason, who has now retired from competition, currently resides in Vancouver. He hopes one day to make his way back to where it all started for him.
His advise for the youngsters is: “Take advantage of this. I have been to quite a few tracks around the world and just today looking at the spectacular view and this amazing new facility, this is one of the best. Just have fun with it.”
Stilwell, who brought some of her Paralympic medals for athletes to see and hold, describes the track as an incredible addition to the community’s recreational facilities. She also helped with the community fundraiser for the project.
Among the many features of the track includes the wheelchair ramp that Stilwell commended, as it will open the facility to seniors.
“In our community, our aging community people with walkers, with wheelchairds, moms with strollers,
Mark Desveux of the the Oceanside Community Track Association (OCTA), who emceed the event, gave recognition to the local governments that contributed funds to pay for the $1.7-million rubberized track. Among them are the City of Parksville ($750,000), the Regional District of Nanaimo ($408,000), Qualicum School District ($500,000), Town of Qualicum Beach ($75,000), RDN Electoral Area E ($30,000), Electoral Area G ($32,000) and Electoral Area H ($21,000).
Kim and Randy Longmuir, former athletic coaches who started the campaign for the new track more than 20 years ago, gave recognition to the many people who supported the dream. Kim said seeing the Oceanside Community Track built and completed has been “so emotional” for her.
“We’re still pinching ourselves a little bit that his has actually happened,” said Kim. “We couldn’t be prouder of everybody who contributed to this amazing legacy.”
Randy added, “it is really wonderful to see the track and to know that the track will be put to excellent use for many, many years to come and it makes us very joyful.”
The track is now open to the public outside of school hours and group bookings which can be made through the RDN sports field and court bookings (rdn.bc.ca/fields-and-courts). The facility will be maintained by the Qualicum School District.