Council approves new sports dome for Grande Prairie

Mayor Jackie Clayton says many other locations had been considered.

“Council has explored six to nine locations. It started with the Smith subdivision. Council thought that was a good location, heard from the community it wasn’t.”

“They went to Avondale to explore opportunities there. We looked at locations adjacent to the Community Knowledge Campus.”

A spot north of the pickleball courts near Legion Field had been chosen as a possible location at one time.

The dome would include a FIFA-size soccer pitch. The building would cover 135,000 square feet.

Clayton says it can be home to other sports besides soccer.

“You can play football. Baseball could utilize it, cricket, lacrosse. It’s a way for recreation to be brought inside over the winter, but it’s a year-round facility.”

“It will be a great asset to add to our already existing list of incredible facilities in our community.”

There would also be an auxiliary building with locker rooms, bathrooms and storage areas.

There is a $10 million line item in the budget for this project, but that money would be borrowed. City staff estimates there could be up to another $4 million required, money that would come from reserve funds.

Clayton says there is a need for this facility.

“We heard from the soccer club (Swan City FC), for example, that they are cutting the practice time to be able to accommodate as many people as possible. Their competitive teams are practicing less. Young kids are being turned away. That’s only one sport that would utilize this facility.”

The plan is to finish construction by Spring 2026.

by Curtis Galbraith