Artist's concept of what a soccer dome in the Avondale area might look like. Still taken from a YouTube video of Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Council picks site of old Comp. and Leisure Centre for soccer dome proposal

Apr 18, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council endorsed the site of the old Leisure Centre and Comp. high school as the site for a proposed soccer dome.

The city had also considered a spot in the Smith neighbourhood (close to the new activity centre) and another in the Cobblestone area near Riverstone Public School.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says all three locations were given what she calls “fair consideration.” City staff also brought forward site plans to see what the facility would look like in all three spots.

“Conversation came forward from Smith residents indicating that they really did not want to see that recreation facility in close proximity to their residences.”

“In addition, we heard from multiple user groups as well as the Grande Prairie Public School Board indicating that they would welcome the recreation facility (on) their land.”

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Several people from the Smith area spoke to council in opposition to any plan to have the soccer dome in their neighbourhood. They also brought dozens of letters of opposition from neighbours. They were worried about traffic, a lack of parking in the area and how the dome might impact how they use and enjoy their yards.

Another group from the Grande Spirit Foundation also spoke to council about the Smith neighbourhood and how the foundation still hopes to have some new affordable housing in that area. The group talked about an idea for two, four-storey buildings that would hold a total of 160 units. The people from Smith who spoke against the soccer dome, spoke in favour of housing like this.

Clayton adds there is still time for any Avondale residents who may also want to talk to the city about this proposal.

“Administration did indicate that they will do consultation on that neighbourhood, however, in recent years, we did an area redevelopment plan in Avondale which had quite extensive consultation in the neighbourhood. In that plan, there was indication that there would be recreation as well as commercial and multi-family (residential) in that area.”

Councillor Chris Thiessen made the motion to pick the Avondale spot, a motion that passed by a unanimous vote in favour from council.

Thiessen says this was the right location.

“Avondale, we did a thorough public consultation in the past. We said we wanted a recreation facility there. We like the use of the land, whatever shape or form that took.”

“It just makes a lot of sense. We don’t have to pay levies on it. There’s a lot of space. There’s extra parking provided there. It’s already zoned that way,” he says.

Council also watched three animations of how shade from the dome would impact houses close by. Thiessen says it looks like there is a lot of space to allow for shading in the Avondale plan.

He adds detail work on plans and what it will look like can now start. Thiessen says that would include public engagement with people who live in Avondale.

The city says work on building the soccer dome could not start until 2024 as the demolition of the Comp and Leisure Centre is expected to take several months to complete.