Westlock’s new sports complex will be officially known as the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre.
The name was chosen at the Westlock Rotary’s March 3 meeting by a secret ballot. Members voted for one of seven suggested names.
“The choice was an overwhelming majority,” said Westlock Rotary Club spokesperson Randy Wold.
Mayor Bruce Lennon said he was happy the organization chose to keep the Spirit Centre part of the name, as it embodies what this project is about.
“Adding the Rotary, which is the main contributor by far at this point to the Spirit Centre, I think the name is good,” he said Friday.
He added that the club’s support of the project right from the beginning has been invaluable, both in terms of the money contributed and also the time and effort.
“It’s not only the commitment of $250,000, but a number of their members are involved in the foundation and moved (the project) along,” he said.
“They’ve been very, very helpful. They’re an important and influential group within our town.”
Spirit Foundation president Wayne Peyre echoed Lennon’s sentiments.
“I think it’s great,” he said. “We really appreciate the contributions of Rotary, and I think it’s a good tie in, with a lot of the things Rotary does for the community being recognized through this. I think it’s a win-win.”
Peyre added he feels keeping the name Spirit Centre is a good way to reinforce what this project is all about.
“In a lot of ways, as far as the community spirit thing and also what the Rotary is all about,” he said. “It really does tie in well with all those things.”
The result of the ballot count was initially kept secret until it could be officially approved, or as Wold told Rotarians, “blessed by” town councillors at a March 7 council meeting.
The name was officially announced at Rotary’s March 10 meeting.
The Westlock Rotary Club is the single largest private contributor to the project, and so earned the privilege of choosing a name for the new centre, which until now has been referred to only as the Spirit Centre.
When the club learned it would be naming the new facility several weeks ago, Wold asked members to submit suggestions for a name.
Seven names were submitted and it was from those members were asked to select their No. 1 choice.
