High River resident Oliver Perry made the final installment of a $100,000 donation to the Crescent Point Field House last week, and he’s ready to do it all over again.
The 97-year-old promised to give $100,000 to the MD of Foothills in three installments over two years to go to the field house to benefit children and families in the region.
Perry contributed the last $25,000 on June 24 to the MD as the facility’s newly-opened cafeteria was officially christened “Oliver Perry’s Place” in recognition of his generosity.
“It’s a good cause for all these kids,” said Perry. “Lots of my friends are trying to pay back a little bit, that’s what this is.”
After handing over a cheque for the balance of his $100,000 donation, Perry was not finished there.
He announced he is willing another $100,000 to the field house upon the sale of his High River welding shop or through his estate.
“It’s important to give it back, and the kids they need this,” said Perry.
Having no children of his own, he formed strong bonds with youngsters in High River during his 37-year stint with the town’s fire department, where he was fire chief for 10 years.
“I’ve got millions of kids from the fire hall because I used to run them through here and let them sit in the fire trucks and turn on the sirens,” said Perry. “I started doing that in 1950, and sometimes I had three classes in one day from the school.”
He built a portable welder and began doing welding for local farmers before being contracted to do all of the welding for the MD of Foothills. He said he formed a strong relationship with the municipality.
“I really enjoy the people in the MD,” said Perry. “I did a lot of work for the MD and I respect them for what they do for me. I want to give something back and I’d like to leave a little history of myself behind.”
Field house manager Shannon Kleibrink said the donations have brought a much-needed service to the field house, something patrons have been asking for since the facility opened its doors.
“Obviously the utilization has increased here and the need for a concession, we’ve needed it now for probably a solid year,” said Kleibrink. “To have this for our user groups in our community is a great thing.”
She said the promise of an additional $100,000 is “unbelievable,” and though it is not yet earmarked for any specific purpose she said it is greatly appreciated.
Okotoks’ Mayor Bill Robertson said Perry’s donations and help in opening the cafeteria make the regional facility more user-friendly.
“This is going to enhance the facility just that much more,” said Robertson. “We sure appreciate Oliver’s generosity, extreme generosity. It’s fantastic.”
MD Mayor Larry Spilak said Perry’s contributions to the field house make him a “partner in the community.”
“Last week, the MD was presented with 60 acres of land at Aldersyde here to build a future fire training centre,” said Spilak. “I spoke at that and I called them true partners. And I look at you, and I put you in that same category. Thank you very much for your generous donation and you are a true partner of the MD of Foothills and of Okotoks.”
