It's rare a new pitch opens on P.E.I. for its 6,000 registered soccer players and rarer still for it to be inside.
So today's unveiling of a fresh, 46,500-square-foot indoor soccer facility at 10 a.m. in Stratford is a milestone.
The aptly named P.E.I. Indoor Soccer Complex welcomes Island soccer players and politicians in a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.
On Saturday, CBC will broadcast stories as part of its Soccer Day in Canada.
The new building is one of the stories.
"In the short term, I think it will get a lot more kids into the sport," said Peter Wolters, P.E.I. Soccer Association executive director. "In the long-term, it will increase the ability of (Island) players to compete with other provinces."
But it's not cheap with a $4-million price tag.
The federal government and provincial governments and the PEISA each ponied up over $1.3 million.
The Town of Stratford contributed the land the complex is built on and will provide $150,000 and municipal tax relief to the Soccer Association over the next five years.
The 200 x 160-yard artificial turf surface can be divided into two pitches 100 x 160 yards each.
Summer rental rates start at $40 per hour for a half-field, $60 for a full field.
Programs won't be available until early October.
Then hourly rates go to $125 for a full field, $75 for a half.
Wolters said a new PEISA board will run the facility and a manager is expected to be named in September.
Wolters said it replaces a cramped UPEI gym as a winter training ground and ultimately he hopes that means better on-field results will follow.
"We were unable to offer many programs in the winter. (In provinces with indoor facilities), you can see the differences in those players, the technical side of those players."
Also Saturday, the Canada Games boys' and girls' teams will lead under-10 and under-12 teams through drills and scrimmages starting at 9 a.m.
creid@theguardian.pe.ca
