By Shane Clausing

sportsplex expansion

City, County & Swan City FC to further discussions regarding potential expansion of County Sportsplex

Feb 12, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The City and County of Grande Prairie along with Swan City FC are exploring the principle of potentially expanding the Crosslink County Sportsplex.

The expansion of the County Sportsplex would come as a big boost to the local soccer and indoor recreation community in Grande Prairie after city council voted unanimously in August to proceed with full demolition of the Leisure Centre and the adjoining indoor soccer pitch, known as Pitch 2.

President of Swan City FC Derek Van Tassell feels expanding the Sportsplex would have a strong effect on indoor sports in the community.

“We are excited at the possibility of a revised Crosslink that could serve us soccer members and other members of the community better for sure,” he said.

“Whether or not that is done by September of 2022 is another matter. I think that is a discussion that needs to happen with the city. What happens to user groups once the Leisure Centre is demolished and any Crosslink expansion is not completed?”

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Van Tassell says council is expected to meet with him in March where drawings and a cost estimate will be released for the project.

While the Sportsplex will take some time to figure out, Van Tassell feels the demolition of the Leisure Centre and Pitch 2 will add an increased demand for the usage for school gymnasiums next winter.

“It’s not just soccer, there are other user groups too that will put more pressure on the Crosslink no matter what,” he said. “You (will) probably have high utilization of the Crosslink facility and increased need for school gymnasiums for various user groups for next winter.”

Van Tassell tells EverythingGP their dream scenario would be to one day build a soccer dome, however, the legs on that idea has stalled mainly due to funding reasons.

“Our dream is to have our own soccer facility.” he expressed. “I don’t know if it’s practical currently. The county has been great to work with, as it the city. If we’re able to expand the Crosslink pitch to a FIFA-type sized field, that might be best for the region in any event.”

Van Tassell also mentioned soccer registration numbers in the area could grow over the next several years, as the Canadian men’s soccer team clinches a birth in the 2022 World Cup and numbers bounce back closer to what they were pre-pandemic.

“We’re expecting now that things are going to be returning back to normal. Membership numbers are going to increase, people seem enthusiastic about the World Cup team which is great. Some of our talented soccer players are living in Grande Prairie, but are playing in Edmonton. An increased pitch size will allow us to do more things and hopefully build the sport in the community.”