October 18, 2022
The grand opening of two new indoor sports fields marks the completion of the Edmonton South Soccer Centre Expansion Project. The project doubles the current year-round space available for Edmonton’s concrete sport groups, including ball hockey, inline hockey and lacrosse.
“As a Winter City, opening these two new indoor fields today will provide an immediate impact to the community for the upcoming indoor season,” said Jesse Banford, Director, Facility Infrastructure Delivery at the City of Edmonton. “We are proud to support a healthy, growing population by bringing to completion this expansion that encourages active living all year long.”
The $30.1 million project is a partnership between the City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta and the Edmonton Soccer Association. The Government of Alberta provided $500,000 through a Community Facility Enhancement Program Grant. The Edmonton Soccer Association provided $9.5 million, along with an additional $100,000 from partners including Ball Hockey Edmonton, Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council and Edmonton Inline Hockey Association. The City provided $20 million of the project funding.
“The Edmonton Soccer Association is delighted to have this expansion come online for the winter season,” said Adrian Newman, CEO of the Edmonton Soccer Association. “The new facility doubles the annual fall and winter programming for sports which rely on concrete fields, like ball hockey, lacrosse and inline. Also, the new soccer field is a much safer surface for players and we are getting terrific feedback from the first weeks. Finally, we are pleased to welcome the Volt hockey program, which uses electric wheelchairs, into our accessible new facility.”
“Our government is proud to provide $500,000 through the Community Facility Enhancement Program to help support two new indoor soccer fields in the heart of Edmonton. Supporting such an essential project that local athletes and sport organizations can use to improve community development and mental wellness is a priority for our government,” said Ron Orr, Minister of Culture.
The project is the latest in the 30+ year relationship between the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Soccer Association, which has seen the development and operation of three indoor soccer centres, as well as the Bill Gilhespy Soccer Complex at Henry Singer Park. The expansion of the South Soccer Centre makes this the first Edmonton facility with six indoor fields.
