The Fairgrounds Capital campaign received a big boost in February from the Optimist Club which has committed $60,000 to the fundraising for the new agriculture and recreation complex.  The donation will come from the sale of Nevada Tickets at the Dominion House on Downie Street.

The Hard Hat Reception Campaign Launch Kick Off – January 15, 2007!

Ontario Minister for Health Promotion, Jim Watson, speaks to the crowd at the official kick off of the Fairgrounds Capital Campaign in January.  Minister Watson not only brought best wishes from the province, he brought a cheque for $3 million.  Seated in the photo below are Fairgrounds capital campaign co-chairs Martin Ritsma and John Kastner along with Perth Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson and Stratford mayor Dan Mathieson.

In December representatives of the Stratford Minor Sports Council presented the Fairgrounds Capital Campaign with a cheque for almost $75,000 towards the new Agriculture and Recreation Complex.

In the photo below are, in the front row, left to right: Jeff Orr (Fairgrounds Agricultural and Recreational Complex fundraising committee), Cathy Graver (Stratford Minor Baseball Association), Mayor Dan Mathieson, Mike Hansford (Minor Sports Council), Lorne Castell (Stratford Minor Baseball Association), Lori Kirby (Stratford Ringette), John Kastner (fundraising campaign co-chair) Back row: Jeannie Fielding (Stratford Skating Club), Maureen Mitchell (Rotary Hockey), Alison Becker (Stratford Skating Club), Rob Strawbridge (Stratford Youth Soccer), Marianne Hawley (Minor Sports Council), Eric McCabe (Stratford Volleyball), Steve Rice (Rotary Hockey), Sam Theocharis (Stratford Minor Hockey Association), Jason Lott (Stratford Lacrosse Association), Iain Begg (Minor Girls Hockey Association), Scott Brookshaw (Minor Girls Softball Association), Kate Gibson (Minor Sports Council), Helen Fulton (Stratford Ringette/Minor Sports Council).