Leamington receives $1 million grant to improve facilities

A Leamington man is donating $1 million to the town to boost sports related activities.

Leamington resident Michael Schlater is the chief executive officer of Domino’s Canada. Schlater won $250,000 in the lottery and rather than keeping it, he donated it to the school his son attends, Cardinal Carter. This time he is donating $1 million dollars to the Town of Leamington over a 10 year period.

Leamington mayor John Paterson described the donation as being great for the community and unexpected. Paterson plans on using the funds to improve the sports complexes including the Leamington Soccer Complex, Kingsmen Baseball facilities and a new skate park.

“The process was more or less to mend fences,” said Paterson. “We heard Domino’s and Leamington Minor Soccer were working together to upgrade the facilities there before it fell through. We wanted to talk to him about what happened, why it fell apart and how it fell apart.”

Paterson said they shared a mutual friend who helped set up a meeting with Schlater. At the end of the meeting Paterson was taken aback by the offer.

“At the end of the meal, he said okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” said Paterson. “We are signing the deal  Nov.13. In the agreement it says Mr. Schalter will be sending the municipality of Leamington $25,000 every quarter for the next ten years. In our conversation, I believe Mr. Schlater just wanted to help out the younger generation with sports related activities.”

For the Town of Leamington, Paterson believes it is about funding the local projects without having to raise the taxes.

Paterson and the councilors have already planned where the money is earmarked.

“We have three projects already budgeted in. We have a majority of the funds going to the Leamington Soccer Complex, including new changing rooms, washrooms and picnic, seating areas,”  said Paterson. “We are also looking at the Kingsmen baseball facilities that need a complete overhaul. The remaining balance of the funds, myself and the youth advisory committee want to build a skatepark and until now there wasn’t any funding for it. It may also go to new trails. It is fair to say we are focusing on fitness and physical lifestyles.”

One Leamington women and mother of two children involved in local sports said the news is great for the community.

“It is great to have improvements made to local venues, while it is also great if he has the funds to support him,” said Heather Carvalho. “I believe having shelters upgraded, whether it be baseball, soccer would be great. Getting the children out of the elements and active is important. We have been involved in the Leamington community sports for about six years now.”

Paterson and the councilors are excited to begin progress on the projects starting with the Leamington Soccer Complex. Construction will begin in spring of 2016 and it is expected to be finished at the end of the year.