Digging in

Our winter home-away-from-home is no more. The Esko Hockey Shack has been torn down.

But it's a good thing. Construction has finally started on the new sports complex that's funded by the referendum I'd help campaign for last fall. (This is one of those posts about something that happened a couple weeks ago that I'm just getting around to write about. The groundbreaking took place nearly two weeks ago on June 20.)

The timing of the event, by coincidence, was pretty cool: one year to the day that flood waters covered this exact spot. What we did not appreciate was the similarity in the weather. It rained all day, making us wonder if we'd have to cancel the event. And then, wonderfully, about 15 minutes before we were scheduled to break round, the rain stopped and a little bit of sun even managed to peak through the clouds. 

Show time!

It was not the most organized event. We had the people, the shovels and the proud feeling of accomplishment. But no one had really thought about one key detail - where we should dig.

Jeff suggested the parking lot, which was already muddy. But someone else suggested we should dig where the new football field and track will be, since that's the biggest part of the project and the first phase to be started.

And so up a hill through long, wet grass we trudged.

And then we shifted around a bit at the recommendation of a photographer who'd shown up. 

At last we were ready. I haven't been part of that many groundbreakings, but usually somebody says at least a few words of thanks or something inspirational to mark the historic moment. But not at this one. About all that was said, which was directed to the photographer, was, "So, is this a good spot?" 

The photographer seemed to focus in on Sydney as the cutest option for a photo. He directed her to throw the first scoop. Unfortunately, the grass and roots were so thick and the clay was so hard she couldn't get her shovel to go through it. And so I stepped in to help. 

Wearing flip flops. 

Bare toes in close proximity to a bunch of people attempting to jab metal shovels into the hard earth. Another well thought out part of the event.

Jeff came to the rescue, and at last Sydney had some dirt to toss.

1...2...3... the dirt went airborne. Hooray!

And then another TV station showed up, so we did it all again.

We stuck around long enough for AJ and I to be interviewed by the local NBC affiliate. Then we took off for Sydney's birthday dinner. As we were reaching the car, I spotted a third TV news photographer (from my former employer) finally showing up. And that night on the news, that station aired video of more dirt being tossed, so clearly, the rest of the group re-created the magic moment yet again after we'd left.

Nearly two weeks later, a lot more dirt has been moved. Work is well underway and is expected to be done in time for the fall and winter sports seasons. And even though nobody said anything powerful and poignant at the groundbreaking, I hope my kids remember 30 years from now and point out to their own kids that way back when, they were part of this. And it was important. And it was cool.