For Release
September 17, 2007
Winnipeg's soccer enthusiasts to enjoy new indoor Complex at the University
of Manitoba in 2008
Winnipeg, Manitoba – Construction will soon begin
on a modern indoor soccer complex at the University of Manitoba. The first-class
facility will be home to Winnipeg’s first multi-field, indoor soccer
complex and will open for the 2008 season.
Artist's rendering of the new indoor soccer complex at the University of Manitoba. The first-class facility will be home to Winnipeg's first multi-field, indoor soccer complex and will open for the 2008 season.
The announcement was made today by Premier Gary Doer; Rod Bruinooge,
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Rona
Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister
of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification;
His Worship Mayor Sam Katz, City of Winnipeg; Dr. Emoke Szathmáry,
University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor; and Keith Ferbers,
Chair of the Winnipeg Soccer Federation.
“This is another step forward in our efforts with the community
to boost the health and well-being of not only children and their families
but Manitobans of all ages,” said Premier Doer. “The design
features of the new complex will allow a wide range of people to access
the facility and it’s anticipated that over 250,000 people will
pass through its doors each year.”
“Canada’s New Government is committed to working with other
levels of government and stakeholders to provide communities with access
to healthy lifestyles and active living through long-term infrastructure,”
said MP Bruinooge. “Our investment of $1 million toward this new
indoor soccer facility at the University of Manitoba, through the Canada-Manitoba
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will help indoor soccer flourish in
Manitoba.”
“The City of Winnipeg is proud to play a leading role in making
sure young Winnipeggers and soccer enthusiasts have a quality indoor soccer
complex,” said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. “As Mayor, we are
proud to make recreational facilities a priority for Winnipeggers as we
continue to invest in the future of our city. I want to thank all the
partners for their assistance in making this complex a reality and for
addressing the needs of our citizens and community.”
The sport of indoor soccer has grown rapidly in Winnipeg. The number of
registered players in Winnipeg has doubled over the past 10 years, with
approximately 6,500 players registered for the sport in 2006. There are
a number of single field facilities across the city, but they are not
sufficient to meet the demand for indoor time.
“The University of Manitoba is pleased to be a partner in this
exciting new project," said University of Manitoba President and
Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Emõke J. E. Szathmáry. "Engaging
in the world's most popular sport is a great way for children and youth
to reap aerobic benefits and to learn teamwork and allied social skills.
Learning by doing sets young people on the right path in life. We are
eager to welcome our new visitors to campus, and expect the new soccer
complex to bring players of all ages and many soccer enthusiasts here."
"This is our dream come true," said Keith Ferbers, Chair of
the Winnipeg Soccer Federation. "Our member leagues -- the women's,
men's and youth soccer leagues -- have been working toward this day for
many years. This facility will help us meet the growing demand for indoor
soccer among all ages and abilities. In addition, a clear-span facility
is the premier version of indoor soccer complexes and we can hardly wait
to begin playing next fall."
The clear-span design of the facility will provide flexibility in the
number of available playing fields. The larger playing field can be subdivided
into smaller fields to accommodate a wide range of ages and abilities.
Although soccer is the priority, other field-type sports will be able
to take advantage of the clear-span facility.
The environmentally-friendly facility will feature low-flow shower heads,
low flush toilets, and a Power Smart electrical system, which will lower
operating costs, reduce energy and water use, release fewer greenhouse
gas emissions, and provide a healthier indoor environment. With this new
complex, Winnipeg will be among only a handful of Canadian cities that
have an indoor soccer facility that operates throughout the year.
For additional information, contact:
Jana Lerner,
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
www.infrastructure.mb.ca
Jacqueline Petrus,
Communications Office
rWestern Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0280
Brad Salyn,
Director of Communications
Office of the Mayor
City of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 986-4003
www.winnipeg.ca
John Thorpe,
Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
Leah Janzen,
Communications Manager
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 474-8034
www.umanitoba.ca
Keith Ferbers,
Chair
Winnipeg Soccer Federation
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 957-4691
www.winnipegsoccerfederation.ca
