Bringing soccer facilities up to par in Stratford is pegged to cost at least $4 million, not including the cost of land.
A 2008 development plan for soccer facilities, drafted   by the Stratford Soccer Association, calls for the purchase and development of private soccer fields and the eventual establishment of a multi-use indoor facility.
The plan calls for the project to be undertaken in four phases, the first phase concentrating on securing land for future development.
Currently, 11 of the city’s soccer fields are located on private property, while eight are located on public property.
All of the fields being used by young children and half of the full-sized fields being used by travel teams and adult leagues, are on privately owned land.
“Future development or decisions by the landowners could lead to the loss of these facilities creating a major problem of virtually no place to play for 2,000 soccer players from four to 60-plus years of age,” it is stated in the report.
Because of this, the 2005 recreation strategic master plan recommended at least two to four new soccer pitches on publicly owned lands be undertaken over the next three to four years and at least two existing pitches be lit.
The development plan calls for the acquisition of 30 to 50 acres of land through purchase or lease, to be developed by the soccer association. The new pitches are not intended to replace existing city-owned fields and those on private property would continue to be used until the landowner, or soccer association, terminates the usage.
The second phase would see a premier field, replacement fields, a clubhouse and parking established at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.
The premier field would include spectator seating, lights, irrigation and
controlled access, while the clubhouse would be home to public washrooms,
change rooms, referee rooms, meeting rooms and a refreshment booth.
Phase three will be an extension and completion of the second phase,
possibly seeing additional replacement fields established at a cost of
$500,000.
The final, and most costly, phase calls for the construction of a multi-use
facility to be used primarily for indoor soccer, at a cost of about $2
million. The report states new indoor facilities are being constructed in
Cambridge, Woodstock, Guelph and Baden and will aid in the development of
players and programs.
Funding for the project could include municipal investment, development
grants, corporate sponsorship, fundraising and user fees.
The development plan was presented to city council at a recent community
services subcommittee meeting.
In the 1970s, about 250 youth played soccer in the city. Today, various
soccer leagues in the city have about 1,700 members.