Sod turning held for new Multisport Dome

“Well, this is a turf facility, right? So, it’ll fill the needs of soccer and cricket and football and baseball and those types of (sports).”

“We also hear from other clubs that there is still a significant need in court sport facility space. However, we know that also with the many new schools that have been built in the region in the last, let’s call it five to ten years, that there are some more gyms coming into rotation.”

Clayton says the project is on time and on budget.

She adds the dome will have a FIFA-sized soccer pitch, which will allow it to host provincial and national-level events.

Clayton is not just expecting organized sports to take place in the dome, but also what she calls “unorganized activities” because of a track that will be included.

“We know the up tick (in use) at the Eastlink Centre in regard to the walking track there.”

“We know the county has a track as well and it’s heavily utilized, and this will just add to young groups, strollers and moms and seniors that want to get out, really, to exercise but not necessarily be in organized sports.”

The total budget is $16.9 million. The County of Grande Prairie will contribute $2.8 million.

County Reeve Bob Marshall says there are some potential soccer players being turned away from current facilities.

“We’re at capacity. Their facilities are at capacity and they’re turning away around 400 (players) is what we’re hearing from minor soccer, so this will take up some of that and give us some surge.”

“Hopefully, they’re not coming back to us in a year and saying we still need more, so, hopefully this will give us some surge to allow growth within the region.”

Marshall says recreation is a part of the county’s Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreement with the city.

City Hall also says that naming rights for the dome will also be made available.

Video credit: Erika Rolling.

by Curtis Galbraith and Erika Rolling