The new Davidson Swimming Pool committee won $25,000 towards the construction of a new pool Sept. 14 from the Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration contest and is hosting a $10,000 party this Sunday to celebrate.
The Pool committee’s bid came in third place out of 29 total submissions to the contest thus securing the prize. Davidson finished behind Dalmeny, who took first place and $50,000 towards their bid for a playground, soccer pitch and picnic area for the town, and Moosomin, who won $25,000 for the construction of a football field and upgrades to their communiplex.
The contest challenged each of the submissions to show their passion for local health and wellness initiatives as well as their spirit for the 101st Grey Cup Festival.
New Davidson Swimming Pool committee member Laura Williams said they submitted a video and essay detailing their project, community, Rider pride and Grey Cup spirit in the middle of July. The group found out they made the top-eight Aug. 17, when an on-line voting period began to determine the top-three winning bids.
“It was about three weeks to vote and that is when we got tons of community support and people really on board with the voting to get us into the top-three,” said Williams. “It’s been fantastic how many people were sending it on to friends and family elsewhere to get them voting for us as well.”
Williams said they didn’t know they had a winning bid until they were presented with the third-place prize during a halftime show at the Roughriders 31-29 loss to the Toronto Argonauts Sept. 14 at Mosaic Stadium. She said they were also given $10,000 to host a Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Celebration party in Davidson this Sunday to coincide with the Riders game against the Alouettes in Montreal.
“Part of what Richardson (Pioneer) wanted was for us to provide entertainment, food (and) beverages for everyone,” she said. “We’ll have a pancake breakfast and a barbecue and show the game along with some entertainment. There’ll be lots of fun things for the kids. Gainer is coming (and) some Rider alumni.”
The event will take place at the Davidson curling rink and be free to attend, but there will be a cost for the food and beverages, said Williams. The pancake breakfast starts at 9 a.m. and the festivities would go on until people are ready to go home.
“We’re hoping for a really big turnout.”