Cement was still being poured during the official opening, but that didn’t limit the excitement in Springbank last week.
The high school unveiled its new $400,000 110-by-130 foot clubhouse facility with a public tour, a barbecue and a series of speeches from those involved with the funding and building process, Sept. 8.
Its primary purpose will be to house the Phoenix football team, but with its proximity to the Park For All Seasons, it will also be used for other purposes during the off-season.
Herb Coburn, a football program booster, spearheaded the effort, which has taken a number of years.
“Herb has been the driving force,” said Janine Asgar-Deen, president of the Phoenix Football Booster Association. “He worked tirelessly to make this happen. It’s beyond impressive how much work he’s done to make this happen. I can’t believe he’s standing here barbecuing. The man has been working his tail off.”
The facility has two 38-stall changerooms, with the ability to divide them into four by the use of a steel curtain in the middle. There are showers, as well as increased storage space for players to store their equipment.
“The players feel a lot of pride by having a real dressing room,” said Tony Lucas, head coach of the Springbank Phoenix football club. “For us, as a team and as a program, it makes us legitimate. It’s been a long time coming, so I’m glad it actually happened. We’re very, very grateful.”
Phoenix football players, as well as visiting teams, used to have to change in the school’s hallways before and after games.
“It was just a nightmare,” Asgar-Deen said. “So it’s huge for the football program. Now we can be proud.”
“We’ve been working out of this tiny equipment room in the school changeroom for years,” Lucas said. “I don’t want to get too far ahead, but I know having that there makes it possible for other possible improvements in the future. A lot of the schools we play have lights and stands; we don’t have either of those. But with this started, I think it could be possible. And it’s not just about us, so we’re happy about that too.”
