Guelph track faces funding deadline

Time is running out for funding the Guelph track project, but a last-minute donation may have just saved the day.

The campaign had a goal of reaching $600,000 by the end of the day on Tuesday, Jan. 31. As of Monday, a little more than $400,000 had been raised, but late Monday evening, head coach Dave Scott-Thomas (@realdst) tweeted:” The Cameron brothers at AGSI come in with $150,000 for our track!!! All those miles together years ago create tight bonds.”

The project, spearheaded by the Canadian Centre for Running Excellence in Guelph, would see an international track and field facility built at the University of Guelph. The latest fundraising push is in part because the campaign has to meet a $1 million fundraising commitment by Feb. 7, according to an article in the Guelph Mercury.

John Marsden, chair of the Centre, told the paper the $600,000 goal needed to be reached by Tuesday. Along with the $150,000 donation, two other large-scale donations of $50,000 were awaiting confirmation on Monday.

Why such a tight deadline? According to the paper, it’s part of the broader planning schedule around the renovation of the university’s stadium.

Last week, Canadian marathon champ Reid Coolsaet donated $10,000 (the bulk of his winnings from the Scotiabank marathon in Toronto last year) to the project. Chris Moulton, Speed River Track and Field Club manager and assistant coach, also donated $12,500 to the track cause.

Want to donate? Visit the website where there is a link to news about the project and a link to donate on the university website.