19 June 2009
Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Island soccer players can now hone their skills in any weather conditions, with the official opening today of the province's first indoor soccer facility in Stratford. Thanks to investments from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, the Town of Stratford and the PEI Soccer Association, the new 46,500 square foot regional complex now provides an ideal location for competitions as well as high-performance training for players, coaches and referees.
"Our government is committed to working in partnership with our provincial and community counterparts to ensure that the recreational infrastructure that Islanders require is in place to support the needs of our communities," said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). "This new regional facility has the capacity to spur additional growth in soccer while also producing economic benefits through the hosting of regional events."
The nearly $4 million facility, which is conveniently located adjacent to four existing outdoor soccer fields, is a clear span, self-supporting insulated steel structure, providing an obstruction-free interior and featuring an artificial turf playing surface. "This new PEI Regional Indoor Soccer Facility is an investment in the health and well being of Islanders and will serve residents of our One Island Community for many years to come," said Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. "I am sure many Prince Edward Island soccer players are anxious to play on this beautiful artificial turf surface."
Soccer has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years on Prince Edward Island. Demand for access to the complex is expected be high as there are currently 6,000 soccer players on PEI, and that number is expected to continue growing in the next few years.
"Everyone involved in the sport of soccer on PEI is going to be impressed with this facility," said Gerald MacDonald, PEI Soccer Association President. "As a result of the tremendous cooperation among all levels of government and the support of our Island soccer players, it is now a reality and will serve players across the Island well into the future."
The Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and the PEI Soccer Association each contributed $1,328,600 to the project.
"We are very pleased and excited to have the new indoor soccer facility located in the Town of Stratford, where the largest soccer club in PEI is located," stated Mayor Kevin Jenkins "The Town of Stratford contributed the land, $150,000 and tax relief for five years to the facility to support our local soccer community and to generate economic activity in the Town."
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A new 46,000 square foot regional indoor soccer complex officially opened today in Stratford. The complex is an ideal location for competitions and high-performance training for players, coaches and referees. The nearly $4 million facility is conveniently located adjacent to four existing outdoor soccer fields. The facility is a clear span, self-supporting insulated steel structure that provides an obstruction-free interior and features an artificial turf playing surface. Demand for access to the complex is expected be high as there are currently 6,000 soccer players on PEI, and that number is expected to continue growing in the next few years.
The Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and the PEI Soccer Association each contributed over $1.3 million to the project. The Town of Stratford contributed the land and will provide $150,000 and municipal tax relief to the PEI Soccer Association over the next five years.
INFORMATION:
Connie McNeill
Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour
902-368-5869
Sheila Kerry
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-566-7418
Robert Hughes
Town of Stratford
902-569-6251
Gerald MacDonald
PEI Soccer Association
902-368-6251
