The Greater Fort Erie Soccer Club is proposing a new sports facility that would keep athletes in town.
Right now, the club makes use of outdoor parks like Ferndale Park and the Optimist Club of Fort Erie, but they’re envisioning an indoor, domed facility to take soccer in Fort Erie to the next level.
Club president John Sansano told Fort Erie council on May 25 about the challenges that come with only having outdoor facilities, including shorter tryout periods, weather delays and cancellations and limited training opportunities in critical months.
“These aren’t just inconveniences,” he said. “They directly impact our player development, retention and our ability to compete.”
Having received support from council in the past while advocating for lights in the park at the Optimist Club of Fort Erie, the soccer club thought to include the city in their ideas for what they’re calling the Fort Erie Sports and Recreation Facility.
“The vision: Imagine a year-round indoor turf facility,” Sansano said.
This facility, he said, would give Fort Erie youth and adults alike a place to play and stay active across multiple sports. It’d also bring in tournaments and events, leading to economic activity in the community.
Sansano was joined at council by Jay McGrane of Far Post Consulting, who gave a detailed look at a potential 7,000 square-metre facility on the north part of the property behind Crystal Ridge Library.
They envision the facility could be used by many clubs and organizations within the city.
Daniel Gignac, a director at the soccer club, said they’ve reached out to the Lions Club, the Fort Erie International Academy and the Greater Fort Erie Minor Baseball Association among others, who have all been supportive of the idea.
The presentation wasn’t a formal proposal to council.
“We are prepared to go right now without any money from the Town of Fort Erie or the taxpayers,” Gignac explained.
Despite that, because of the previous support, the club is inviting the town to participate in making the facility a reality with them.
After a few clarifying questions from council, Ward 4 Coun. Joan Christensen recommended the club get a table at market to start getting community feedback and to have something put on Let’s Talk Fort Erie, the town’s website that facilitates public input on projects.
Ward 5 Coun. Tom Lewis also encouraged the club to submit a formal proposal.