Carlton takes on their newly finished Max Clunie Field for the first time ahead of their exhibition match on Thursday night. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)
A long time coming

Max Clunie Field, Harry Jerome Track re-open with ceremony following lengthy renovations

Oct 10, 2024 | 7:51 PM

After what was a year of work, the renovations of Max Clunie Field and Harry Jerome Track have finally crossed the finish line.

Ahead of Carlton’s exhibition contest with Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate on Thursday night, a special ceremony was held to mark the grand re-opening of the facilities at Prime Ministers Park.

A handful of local dignitaries were in attendance for the ceremony including Mayor Greg Dionne, Carlton Principal Jenn Ferguson, members from the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) and Max Clunie’s family.

Having a hand in the renovations, Clunie’s father, Russell, called the finished field a full circle moment.

“It’s come a long way in 12 years to have what we have today, which is an unmatched world-class facility right here in the city. I’m very passionate about this community and I can’t say enough of how proud we are that it’s in our son’s honour. We got [a new field] and the community gets to enjoy it.”

Acting board Chair for the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division Alan Nunn cuts the ribbon to officially re-open Max Clunie Field and Harry Jerome Track. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Max was 15 years old when he was one of five people who died in a Northern Saskatchewan plane crash in June 2011.

The renovation work was originally slated to finish at the end of August, but major rain delays in June sidelined construction crews for three weeks. According to SRPSD Superintendent of Facilities Mike Hurd, the re-opening is better late than never.

“We were hoping to be on the field a bit sooner than this, but we can’t control the weather,” he said. “The icing on the cake is that the kids get to use the field a couple times before winter, which is what we were really hoping to be able to do.”

An aerial shot of the complete track and football field. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The entire project cost $3.7 million.

Aside from the weather, Hurd noted that the construction was smooth sailing.

“We haven’t done a track and artificial turf project before, so it was a learning curve for us,” he explained.

“It was the people we worked with from the suppliers of the product to the installation crews that we worked with, as well as our partner contractors like Broda Group and B&B Concrete and Asphalt. It was a really good working relationship, and [the process] went very well.”

To close out the ceremony, Carlton senior Gage Prodaehl performed a ceremonial kickoff as the Crusaders took to their new field for the first time.

Carlton went on to shutout Centennial in a 45-0 blowout.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

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