Saint John Field House project funding reaches $10M milestone

After multiple stops and starts, a campaign to build a recreational sports centre in Saint John isgaining momentum.

Chair Bill MacMackin says the Greater Saint John Field House campaign has secured $10 millionin funding toward the $24 million project.

Applications have been made to the federal and provincial governments for the balance.

"We would love to start building in 2016," saidMacMackin, predicting an 18 month completion time.

The first phase of the project includes two indoor fields to be used for various sports such as soccer and lacrosse, track and field, and seniors looking to exercise indoors.

MacMackin says the trackwill be built to national standards, making it the first of its calibrein Atlantic Canada.

The second phase includes two ice pads to help replace some of the city's aging arenas.

Field to be named after Walter Ellis

Naming rights for several of the buildings and fieldsare still up for grabs, but MacMackin announced Thursday that the mainfield will be named in memory of the late Walter Ellis, who founded the Saint John Track Club.

Multiple private citizens contributed more than $500,000to that part of the complex.

The project will be built on the Exhibition Park Raceway property.

The harness racing industry has been struggling in the region. The park has been without a grandstand since it was town down in 2003.

Saint John's Exhibition Association had floated the idea of building a racino in 2007 when the provincial government was soliciting proposals for a casino.

That specific plan died when the provincial government approved the casino project in Moncton.