SPORTS FLASHBACK 2006: Group raises $150,000 for new soccer complex

The Steinbach soccer complex fund-raising committee has reached its goal of raising $150,000 towards construction of the first phase of a seven-pitch, state-of-the-art soccer complex in the city’s west end.

Committee chairman Royden Loewen said his four-member group is delighted to have reached its target and is in talks with the City of Steinbach in hopes of seeing work begin sometime this year.

Loewen said it is hoped the first phase of the complex, which would feature seven outdoor pitches, could be ready for use by 2007. Cost estimates for initial construction are pegged at a minimum of $650,000.

Major gifts have been received from six local businesses, with the largest coming from Steinbach Credit Union. The other principal corporate donors are Fehr Sheet Metal, Ledingham Pontiac Buick, Loewen Windows, Penner Farm Service and Penner International. Other major donations have come from Steinbach Hatchery and Nature’s Farm.

Plans call for six of the seven planned pitches to be named after the main corporate sponsors.

Many parents have contributed gifts ranging from $100 to $1,000, Loewen explained, adding the committee is extremely heartened to see other corporations have expressed interest in participating in future phases of the complex.

On the strength of the positive response to the fund-raising campaign, the Hanover Kickers Soccer Club, made up of parents of more than 500 children playing soccer as well as about 100 adult players, has formally asked the city to take on the major portion of the cost, and begin construction of the complex.

To date, the city has set aside a 42-acre field on publicly-owned land in Steinbach’s west end, adjacent to Bush Farm. It has also funded architectural and engineering plans for the complex.

Phase one of the complex would see seven outdoor, well-drained and accessible fields, laid out in an attractive and user-friendly semi-circle, Loewen said. It would also include construction of a parking lot and bike paths.

Plans for road access to the complex have not yet been finalized.

In its appeal to the community, businesses and soccer parents, the fund-raising committee highlighted the growing popularity of soccer. In 2005, 513 children (on 45 teams) and 94 adults were enrolled in soccer, and 100 volunteers helped make the whole program work.

The group hopes that with a soccer complex, soccer can grow to include even more kids and adults, and bring thousands to visit Steinbach, and perhaps settle here.

In its fund-raising efforts, members of the committee noted soccer serves crucial social, cultural and health needs in the community and has a number of positive features.

Soccer is an affordable sport with significant social benefits. Soccer welcomes newcomers to Steinbach and helps them integrate with Canadian children, and links underprivileged and privileged kids, skilled and unskilled girls and boys.

The committee is already gearing up for a fund-raising campaign for future phases of the complex.

The fund-raising committee for the soccer complex, in addition to Loewen, includes Norm Anderson, Curtis Krahn and Ken McAllister.