Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

'Field of dreams' becomes a reality for Gordon Bell students

Education Minister Nancy Allan announced Tuesday that the Province of Manitoba has purchased the 2.5 acres of land on Portage Avenue beside the school from Canada Post for $3.8 million and will turn it into recreation and green space for students and staff.

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Education Minister Nancy Allan announced Tuesday that the Province of Manitoba has purchased the 2.5 acres of land on Portage Avenue beside the school from Canada Post for $3.8 million and will turn it into recreation and green space for students and staff. (WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

The property at Broadway and Portage where Gordon Bell will build an athletic field.

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The property at Broadway and Portage where Gordon Bell will build an athletic field. (BORIS MINKEVICH)

WINNIPEG - It’s probably safe to say that a politician has rarely, if ever, received such a raucous ovation at Gordon Bell High School.

Education Minister Nancy Allan was greeted with whoops and hollers this morning as she announced the province has purchased a former car dealership's property from Canada Post and will convert it into an athletic field and green space for the school.

"It’s official," Allan said to the wild applause from several hundred students and staff in Gordon Bell’s gym. "We’ve sealed the deal."

Perhaps nobody was more excited than Morgan Hoogstraten, a ‘09 graduate who spearheaded the "field of dreams" campaign 14 months ago. Her efforts included weekly rallies at the legislature to alert politicians to the school’s need for a field.

"I really think this will give Gordon Bell a huge step up. The kids here are awesome and they deserve what all the other schools have. They definitely deserve a place to play on some grass," she said.

Canada Post agreed to sell the Portage Avenue property after finding an alternate site for its downtown mail carrier depot on Ellen Street.

 

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