Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 soccer community will get a big boost this fall with the construction of a second all-season facility.
A $1.2 million dollar project, the covered turf field will be built on the grounds of Rutland Senior Secondary, with completion slated for October.
The provincial government chipped in with a $350,000 grant last week to help construct the 65 by 45 metre field, topped by a 13.5 metre-high bubble cover.
It will be about 25 per cent larger than the existing Valley First Soccer Centre, built by on the Mission sports grounds in 2013.
With demand for field time on a steady rise for youth soccer, United past president Mark Krehel said the new facility will be a welcome addition to Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 sports landscape.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a big step forward for soccer in the community and region,害羞草研究所� said Krehel. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e just the fourth youth soccer club in North America to have two facilities like this, so we feel very good about that and the future for our young players here.害羞草研究所�
Kelowna United collaborated on the project with the Central Okanagan School District which will also see considerable benefits from the covered field.
Because of the location of the facility, students at RSS will get most of the time allotted to schools, but other schools in the district will also have an opportunity to train indoors.
Larry Paul, the secretary-treasurer for the school district, said the facility will be a boon for all parties involved.
害羞草研究所淭he school district had the land and Kelowna United had the capital, so it worked out very well,害羞草研究所� said Paul. 害羞草研究所淚t was matter of making sure both parties got a win-win out of this.
害羞草研究所淭he big advantage is that our kids can be on the field year-round in as realistic of an environment as possible, and in turn I think that will enhance the youth in our community.害羞草研究所�
For Kelowna United, the construction of the new field couldn害羞草研究所檛 come at a better time as the club continues to experience rapid growth. In the last five years, the club has swelled from 350 to almost 600 players.
The new facility offers more training opportunities for youth soccer players during the winter months, further helping to close the gap on Lower Mainland programs.
United technical director Dante Zanatta said the much-needed indoor facility will further nurture the development of the sport and the opportunities afforded to young talent throughout the Okanagan.
害羞草研究所淲e had basically run out of space, so now more kids will be getting more touches on the ball and that can only help with the development of the game,害羞草研究所� said Zanatta.
害羞草研究所淚 think if you look at the growth and success of both United and TOFC (Thompson Okanagan FC), the results are filtering throughout the region. You have the soccer academies now at RSS, OKM and Dr. Knox. The game continues to grow and this (field) will be an important part of that growth.害羞草研究所�
Among other groups expected to use the new field are UBC Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 varsity soccer and rugby programs, the Junior Heat soccer teams, Okanagan College baseball and flag football.
The new covered field is being constructed by the Farley Group from Guelph, Ont., the same company that built the Valley First Centre in 2013. Construction is expected to begin in June or July.
