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News Advertiser Sports and Leisure
Pysanka Putt-Putt Mini Golf Course Almost Ready for Prime Time
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
People who live in or visit Vegreville now have a new activity to participate in. Vegreville Elks/Kinsmen Park has some of the features available at the new attraction, Pysanka Putt-Putt Mini Golf Course which had its soft launch on July 25.
Town of Vegreville Community Engagement and Economic Development Manager Jamieson Brown explained, “We’re still in the process of completing Pysanka Putt-Putt.
While we have slowly released some information regarding the course on our website as well as placed some on-site signage near the course, we’re still a few weeks away from it being 100 percent complete. We’ve unfortunately run into delays when it comes to our themed obstacles featuring some of the area’s tourism destinations. We’ll also be further enhancing the site in general, with branded umbrellas, banners, and turf, in the coming weeks.
With that said, we had several people asking if they could play the course, even if it was not 100 percent complete, and we thought this would be an ideal way to ‘soft
launch’ it in the hopes of working out any kinks before we started advertising and promoting it.
So far, we had 50 mini-golfers play as well as some of the FCSS’s Sizzling Summer program participants.”
On August 5, some of the participants gave their impression of the 9-hole mini golf course. Vegreville resident said it’s really good to have this in town. “It is nice to play golf outside and feel the sun while you play. The holes are easy enough for kids to use while challenging enough to have fun.”
Joe Ruschkowski, who was visiting from Cold Lake, admitted that the course was great. “It is a nice, quick walking activity to do while you are at the park.”
Kirstin McSween, who lives in Vegreville, commented that she liked the golf course and it is nice to have new activities to do in Vegreville.
Dylan LaLani mentioned that he liked it because mini golf is always fun to play.
Innisfree & District Multi-sport Courts Open
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser
Recreational enthusiasts will now be able to enjoy the newly completed multi-sport courts in the Village of Innisfree.
The outdoor space, located on Delnorte School property, now houses three pickleball courts and a basketball court. The transformation is impressive, especially considering it was completely overgrown with weeds and trees and rendered unusable for the past several years.
Carmen Kassian, her husband and two children decided to clean up the former tennis courts in the summer of 2020 to help serve their community. They did the same again in 2021.
That fall Carmen became Delnorte School President. The tennis courts were originally designed and constructed by the Innisfree and District Fish & Game Association. Carmen said they were fortunate to have Innisfree and District Fish & Game Association President Neil Napora come up with the plan and site design for this project.
In February of 2022, Buffalo Trail Public Schools gave approval for the project as commit funding towards the project. Carmen applied for other funding and canvassed local organizations for donations. “We received lots of letters of support.”
By last summer there was enough funds to hire contractor Spectre Systems to remove the asphalt, create a new gravel base and then put in new asphalt for the new courts.
Eagle Fencing reinstalled the exterior fence as well as put in new posts and interior fencing between the pickleball courts and the tennis court and install gates.
In late March, they received a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant of $74,833. The total budget for the project came in at $200,000.
Tomko Sports Systems, a Calgary based court surfacing specialist, painted the entire asphalt surface, finishing up in mid-July.
The multi-sports courts opened Aug. 3. Carmen said there’s been lots of positive feedback and having more recreational opportunities in the community is a benefit to in-town and out-of-town residents alike. It’s a perfect example of restoration and revitalization.
Delnorte School Principal Rachel Miller said everyone in the community is excited to use the new space. People from outside the community are also excited about using the courts. Miller is most excited for the students when they return to school Sept. 5. The multi-sport courts will not only provide new opportunities in physical education, but physical outlet for the older students during recess and lunch time. As well, it will give kids and families the opportunity to get some exercise outside of school hours.
“Carmen has done an amazing job spearheading and overseeing the project. She raised a substantial amount of money in a short period of time for the betterment of the community.”
