We are going on two full seasons without an indoor soccer centre.
Sadly, I'm already planning a third season on gym floors, starting in November of 2018.
In fact, many users other than soccer — such as football, frisbee, baseball, lacrosse, and other rental groups — have no access to an indoor artificial turf complex.
I keep reading about a $100-million arena/complex, or a $35-million to $50-million library/art gallery, or a $20-million to $30-million French arts building. How about a $5-million full indoor artificial turf complex that people would be lined up at the door to use? Or turf and bubble an existing field in Sudbury for $3 million?
Sudbury already has an arena, libraries, or other locations to house these other projects. Sudbury does not have one artificial turf sports complex for the winter months.
Just a small FYI: it snows a lot in Sudbury and winters are very cold. The outdoor climate for using Sudbury's outdoor turf and grass fields is basically May 1 to Oct. 31. That is, if we are so lucky to get on the artificial turf at James Jerome.
So, for the other six months — November to April — James Jerome turf sits idle. That's poor planning, again. I don't think snow, ice, and winter elements help the turf, do they?
Oh, by the way, try not to waste another $20,000 on a feasibility study to see if Sudbury has the demand for an indoor complex. We had a previous location known as the Sudbury Soccer Centre, which was at capacity during the winter months. The free answer is yes, there is a demand, proven by the previous 15-plus years of an operating soccer centre.
You might ask, how do we compare to other communities? Terribly, if you ask me.
Sudbury is 20-plus years behind the rest of urban areas in Ontario. Consider this: Sault Ste. Marie has a population of approximately 75,000 (that's half of Sudbury). North Bay has a population of approximately 50,000 (that's one-third of Sudbury). My contacts there tell me a big announcement is coming soon for the building of an indoor artificial turf complex.
The City of Greater Sudbury has a population of approximately 165,000.
Sudbury has ... wait for it ... nothing.
Sudbury's citizens — players starting from three years old to seniors (male, female, recreational, competitive), parents, coaches, and other sports athletes and enthusiasts — deserve better.
Giuseppe Politi
Greater Sudbury