Published: August 2nd, 2024
For over six years, McElhanney’s Victoria branch has been at the forefront of a key community initiative: the rejuvenation of Spectrum Community School’s sports field in Victoria, BC Canada. By providing survey, civil engineering, and structural engineering services in kind, our team helped transform the NFL-sized field into a vibrant hub for youth sports and community engagement, complete with a new turf surface, new clubhouse, and improved drainage.
A Community United
The Spectrum Turf Project, led by Dominic Butcher, Spectrum Athletic Director, and Bruce Bidney, Spectrum School Principal, is situated on the unceded lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən People. It has garnered widespread support and secured $3M in funding from private donors and local partners. Land-rights holders, Songhees Nation, have been part of the project for seven years and are excited to see this field become a source of inspiration for the young athletes of tomorrow. Launched with the goal of providing the community’s kids with a fantastic space to play soccer and football, this field is already becoming a key community hub for the area.
From Grassroots to the Global Screen
The buzz surrounding this revitalization effort reached international ears: Wrexham AFC, co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (unfortunately, no relation to McElhanney founder W.G. McElhanney), learned about the project. While in town for a game, two Wrexham AFC reps, Wayne Jones and Humphrey Ker, stopped by Spectrum’s field to record a segment for the upcoming season of “Welcome to Wrexham”: a global sports docuseries chronicling the travels of Wrexham AFC, one of professional football’s oldest clubs.
“Kicking Off” With a Bang
To celebrate Wayne and Humphrey’s visit and the project’s completion, Spectrum Community School hosted a community BBQ on July 26th, 2024. The event was a resounding success, featuring lək̓ʷəŋən dancers and celebration song, kids’ soccer and football games, and delicious BBQ.
“I am lucky that I have this opportunity to give back to the high school that I went to and the community where I grew up,” beams Ian Sander, McElhanney’s Victoria Branch Manager. “Supporting initiatives like the Spectrum Turf Project underscores McElhanney’s commitment to giving back to the places we call home and contributing to vibrant, active spaces for future generations. We are incredibly grateful to land-rights holders Songhees Nation, the Greater Victoria School District No. 61, the District of Saanich, and all the project partners for the opportunity to support such a fantastic cause.”
Spectrum’s field, which had gone 15 long years without hosting home games, is now once again the heart of local sports. Special thanks to our fellow sponsors – Wrexham AFC, Johnsonville, Grill Dads, and SharkNinja – for helping to bring this community dream to life.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Want to get involved? Funding is still needed for the site’s future clubhouse! Contact Ian Sander (isander@mcelhanney.com) for details.
Opening remarks from Songhees Elder Frank George.
From left: Dom Butcher, Spectrum Turf Project Organizer; Humphrey Ker, Executive Director of Wrexham AFC; Bruce Bidney, Project Organizer and Spectrum Community School Principal.
From left: Wayne Jones, owner of the Turf Hotel (a fixture on Welcome to Wrexham and often visited by the team); Bruce Bidney, Project Organizer and Spectrum Community School Principal; Ian Sander, McElhanney Victoria Branch Manager; Dom Butcher, Spectrum Turf Project Organizer.