City lawmakers are supporting a proposed indoor soccer facility.
They heard Soccer Northwest Ontario’s business proposal for the $25 million project, planned to be built just north of the Thunder Bay Community Tennis Centre
Councillor Frank Pullia notes it’s not clear how much of that cost the city would have to cover, but he’s in favour of officially standing behind the project.
“But I think the other orders of goverment need to know that this is a priority for the city,” Pullia says, adding he believes it could make the provincial and federal governments more likely to contribute funding.
That’s certainly the hope for Mayor Keith Hobbs, who states “The city can’t afford $25 million right now,” and suggests the city’s Inter-Governmental Committee could bring the project up with ministers in February.
Andrew Foulds says he’s in favour of the facility, which officials with Soccer Northwest Ontario say could be divided into up to four soccer fields or used for tennis. It could also serve as a FIFA regulation-sized pitch.
“For me, personally, I am convinced about the need for soccer,” Foulds points out.
However Foulds admits he’s concerned the project’s planned completion date of next October might be unrealistic.
SNO officials say the plan is to begin construction this summer, but concerns were raised about whether provincial and federal grants could be secured by then. (File Photo)