AKO Fraternity Launches Windsor Stadium Restoration

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Event attendees in front of The Windsor Stadium bleachers.

Today the Alpha Kai Omega (AKO) Fraternity launched the largest project in the organization’s 87-year history – the restoration of Windsor Stadium.

“This is going to be huge for Windsor and Essex County,” says Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky, who looks forward to this long-term, multi-phase project returning the stadium to its“original glory.”

Windsor West MP Brian Masse recounts setting up sports activities for kids in parking lots and Charles Clarke Square, and sees the stadium restoration as a necessity for the community. “The city matters, and the county matters,” says Masse. “But we need a strong core.”

Former Catholic Central football player, and current defensive tackle for The Dallas Cowboys, Tyrone Crawford, was in town for today’s announcement. Having started out playing on this field, he is pleased about the work planned for the stadium.

“Central Windsor, we need this,” he says.

Crawford is grateful towards the AKO Fraternity and everyone else involved with the restoration project, “Growing up, you didn’t feel like people cared about central kids, so thank you guys.”

“Windsor Stadium is historic and iconic with a lot of people in Windsor,” says AKO chair John Zucchet. “We want to preserve it for the next generation of Tyrone Crawfords.”

This project is “about creating leaders and giving people opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have,” says Ward 8 Councillor Bill Marra.
In February 2015 AKO secured an $118,500 grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), as well as a $39,00 seed grant to help promote the stadium to the community at large.

Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin believes that “the best thing about this project is it comes from all the members in the community.”

AKO is welcoming help from anyone who would like to be involved in any capacity, directing interested parties to the fraternity’s website for more information.

Rob McIntyre, Chair of Windsor Stadium Restoration Project

John Zucchet, Chair of AKO Fraternity

Lisa Gretzky, MPP Windsor West

Percy Hatfield, MPP Windsor-Tecumseh

Richard Vennetilli, Ontario Trillium Foundation representative

Presentation of Ontario Trillium Foundation grant plaques.

Tyrone Crawford, former football player for Catholic Central High School, current defensive tackle for The Dallas Cowboys.

Brian Masse, Windsor West MP, presents a Canadian flag formerly flown at The West Block on Parliament Hill.

Rino Bortolin, Ward 3 Councillor.

Bill Marra, Ward 8 Councillor.