Rundle at 40: Hauk Field

A Field Of Dreams

In 2005, when the current College 7-12 building opened its doors, plans were already underway to develop the acres of bare Rundle-owned lands directly around the campus.

Originally, Rundle owned the land located on the northeast side of the building; however, the City of Calgary required the land for its LRT station build. Because of this, Rundle sold the land to the City and directed those funds toward building an innovative turf field on the land west of the Conklin building. Throughout this process, Dave Hauk advanced negotiations while John Sherbut led strategy with the City, securing a deal that ensured Rundle’s ability to build the Rundle field. This project would become the second major build of the decade, following the Conklin building and preceding the Collett building later in the decade.

(The Gerrish Lands pre-Hauk Field)

A Build of Proof and Dedication

Construction of the field began on March 10, 2010, and the project served as proof that Rundle was evolving beyond its original cottage campus of 1985. The addition of the field would serve to enhance Rundle’s offerings to its students and provide a much needed athletic facility to the larger City of Calgary community.

The field’s design included artificial turf and advanced drainage systems to reduce maintenance and provide an additional six to eight weeks of playing season. It also featured lighting for extended hours, seating, and a custom scoreboard, and would go on to be described as one of the “finest, state-of-the-art fields in Alberta.”

The field was officially renamed Hauk Field, after Dave Hauk, who served as Head of School at Rundle for nearly 25 years. With this dedication, his name will remain tied to one of Rundle’s great initiatives, fittingly situated in between his colleagues, Dr. Conklin and Dr. Collett on the College campus.

(Custom Hauk Field Scoreboard)

Opening Community Celebration

Hauk Field opened to the community on Sept. 16, 2011, marking the completion of a significant addition to the Rundle College campus. The grand opening featured a community celebration, including a tailgate-style gathering catered by “the most popular parent of the day,” Tony Spoletini of Spolumbo’s, who donated food and barbecued hundreds of sausages for parents, students, and federal, provincial, and municipal dignitaries.

The day concluded with an inaugural football game on Hauk field, where the Rundle College Cobras won 35–7.

(Dave Hauk cutting the ribbon to officially open the field)	(The inaugural football game on Hawk Field)