Eskimos new facility a recruiting tool

As if the Edmonton Eskimos needed any help acquiring free agents, the Canadian Football League team’s new 3,000 square-foot locker-room will go even further toward attracting future members of the Green and Gold.

“The visiting teams that come in here, walking through here, everyone is going to be knocking on Edmonton’s doors trying to come play here,” said Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray.

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“So far we’ve only been able to talk about it and show some drawings,” said Eskimos president and CEO Rick LeLacheur. “I know when you just show drawings, it’s a little questionable as to are you ever going to have it?

“We do not intend to have any coaches or players into the locker-room until we officially open it at the end of June.

“We want them to see the wow factor, but from then on, word of mouth carries pretty quick in the CFL and the football fraternity and there will be a lot of people who know about this facility very quickly.”

BRING ON THE TURF

Ray also got a first-hand look on Friday at the new FieldTurf that is completely installed at Commonwealth Stadium.

“As much as grass is nice to play on, and I grew up playing on it, I think the new FieldTurf is even more consistent,” said Ray. “We have a lot of concerts, a lot of things going on at Commonwealth, so the field conditions tended to get beat up.

“Plus, the weather is always changing and you never know how the field is going to react. It will just make everything more consistent for the players. The field is so consistent, even when it rains. When you have bad weather, it’s still the same footing out there. You don’t have to maintain it either, which is probably another big advantage.”

ANOTHER RAY COMING UP

Ricky Ray’s younger brother, Zack, is entering his senior year at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, Calif., and, yes, he is a quarterback.

The 17-year-old was a backup and is taking a run at the starting role with the Cougars, Ray said about his six-foot-two, 167-pound sibling.

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