The Kelowna football community will get a big boost this fall with the construction of a second year-round facility.
The covered turf field is a $ 1.2 million project and is being built on the Rutland Senior Secondary site. Completion is planned for October.
The provincial government granted a $ 350,000 grant last week to build the 65-by-45-meter field, which is crowned by a 13.5-meter-high bubble ceiling.
It will be about 25 percent larger than the existing Valley First Soccer Center Kelowna United FC built on the Mission’s sports field in 2013.
Mark Krehel, former United President, said the new facility will be a welcome addition to Kelowna’s sports landscape as the demand for field time for youth football continues to grow.
“It’s a big step forward for football in the community and region,” said Krehel. “We’re only the fourth youth football club in North America to have two facilities like this one. We feel very good about them and the future of our young players here.”
Kelowna United has partnered with the Central Okanagan School District on the project, which will also benefit significantly from the area covered.
Because of the location of the facility, RSS gives students most of their time for schools, but other schools in the district have the option to train indoors as well.
Larry Paul, the school district secretary and treasurer, said the facility will be a blessing for everyone involved.
“The school district had the country and Kelowna United had the capital, so it worked out really well,” said Paul. “It was about making sure that both parties achieved a win-win situation.
“The big advantage is that our children can be out in the field in the most realistic possible environment all year round, and I think that in turn will improve the youth in our community.”
For Kelowna United, the construction of the new field couldn’t come at a better time as the club continues to grow rapidly. In the last five years the club has grown from 350 to almost 600 players.
The new facility offers more training opportunities for young soccer players in the winter months, helping to fill the gap in programs on the lower mainland.
United Technical Director Dante Zanatta said the much-needed interior design will further fuel the development of the sport and opportunities for young talent across the Okanagan.
“We basically ran out of space so more kids are getting more touches on the ball and that can only help with the game’s development,” said Zanatta.
“I think when you look at the growth and success of United and TOFC (Thompson Okanagan FC), the results are filtered across the region. You now have the football academies at RSS, OKM and Dr. Knox. The game continues to grow and this (field) will be an important part of that growth. “
Other groups expected to use the new field include UBC Okanagan’s varsity soccer and rugby programs, the Junior Heat soccer teams, Okanagan College baseball, and flag soccer.
The new covered field is being built by the Farley Group of Guelph, Ontario, the same company that built the Valley First Center in 2013. Construction is expected to start in June or July.
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