Fundraising for the second phase of the Spray Lake Sawmills Legacy Sports Field is about to be kicked off and further details on how the amenities will be enhanced for players and spectators alike will soon unfold.

The Cochrane Minor Football Association is holding a smaller kickoff fundraising event at The Venue Bar and Grill on Nov. 2 and they are in the initial planning stages for a larger gala launch much like they did for the development of the field several years ago.

Cochrane has enjoyed the benefit of the outdoor artificial turf for three full seasons now but it is in desperate need of more bleachers, proper change rooms and washroom facilities.

Paul McLean, president of the Cochrane Minor Football Association, believes the time is right to go forward with the project.

"I think we can do it," says McLean. "The important thing is if we raise the money fairly quickly then maybe can get some approvals in place and get into the ground as early as next year."

Early estimates place the costs at about $350,000.

Friday night's event is a dinner and silent auction from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. largely aimed at the community's football family.

"We’re getting everybody together so they understand the idea and start talking about what we’re trying to accomplish. We’re going to the football family first and then branching out to the larger community."

For three seasons, football, soccer and high school rugby teams have been utilizing the field. He measures the success by the demand they receive and the challenges of finding time slots to fill all the requests.

McLean says it allows for extended field sports seasons and the lights add to the length of time it can be used each day.

"One thing that’s really a big deal is when these lights come on its daylight out here and people can practice until 10 p.m. at night and have a very comfortable experience."