Yukon News story from December 12, 2001.
© Yukon News 2001, posted with permission.

By Jillian Rogers
News Reporter

Whitehorse didn't set aside any money in its latest budget for a proposed $4.5-million indoor soccer centre.

"It's disappointing that we don't have an absolute commitment but we do have a commitment of sorts and that's real progress and very heartening to see," said Doug Hitch, the executive director of Whitehorse Minor Soccer.

"To have the mayor mention the indoor centre and mention that he would consider funding it if the funding comes through from the federal government (for the 2007 Canada Winter Games) is good," he added.

The city needs the money from Ottawa by December 31st to meet a deadline set by the Canada Games Council to submit its bid to host the event in 2007.

"One of the things we looked at was if we get the Canada Games, and we get the money, then the flexi-hall can probably be configured or we can work out something else," said councillor Doug Graham.

"They even talked about one of the arenas. There's a possibility of creating a soccer centre in Stan McGowan Arena, because it's exactly the right size for one field, and that would mean just adding another, so there's all kinds of options," said Graham.

"But unless we get the Canada Games, there's not $4.4 million lying around."

As the deadline for federal funding draws closer, what happens to the bid if the money doesn't come through in time?

"We really don't know that," said Graham, noting the city is seeking $12 million from the federal government to host the Games.

"I think it's very positive and it shows that the current council is willing to consider the needs of the soccer community," said Hitch.

Graham agreed.

Most councillors think that having an indoor centre is in the best interest of the community, he said.

"It's just a question of when and what's the most economic way for the community to do it," said Graham.

Indoor soccer has grown 60 per cent in the last five years and the soccer community, including WMS and the Yukon Soccer Association, has been lobbying for money for a facility for some time.

Currently, players of all levels and ages, including adult leagues and representative teams, are playing in local gyms, which aren't always the safest place for athletes to be running around in.

Because of the rapid growth of the sport, players and teams are also running out of gym space and time.

Soccer takes up 109 hours of gym time per week at local schools -- that's 35 per cent of what's available.

Hence the urgent need for a new facility.

A new facility would be shared with other user groups, like basketball players, runners and even show dogs.

But the city first wants to see the color of Ottawa's money.

"It's a real waiting game for now," said mayor Ernie Bourassa.

Contact Jillian Rogers at jrogers@yukon-news.com

Posted January 2002
D. Hitch