Synthetic pitch installed at Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex

West Winnipeg

Winnipeg

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This article was published 19/07/2023 (1108 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Members of the city’s soccer community now have even more reason to be happy playing the beautiful game on their home turf.

Home turf in the collective sense, that is, as the Winnipeg Soccer Federation has announced an investment of more than $700,000 to replace the synthetic turf pitch on pitch two at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex, which is located at 900 Waverley St.

The federation is a non-profit organization that plays a key role in developing, maintaining and managing designated soccer facilities in the City of Winnipeg, as well as promoting the sport and healthy, active lifestyles.

According to a news release, the replacement project was awarded to AstroTurf, and was started on May 3 and finished on May 26. Base preparation was provided by S & J Construction. The new turf has a predicted lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

The federation’s president, Devon Kashton, said the new turf is part of WSF’s overall budget to provide field replacement, when required, to meet the evolving needs of athletes, coaches and the local community-at-large to ensure enhanced performance, safety and sustainability.

“It’s fantastic,” Kashton said, noting the project was funded by the federation and not subsidized by any levels of government. “People are loving the new surface.”

Kashton said the model is “the best possible model for the city and its citizens” and is a testament to the sporting community in Winnipeg, which generates revenue through rentals and sponsorships. That achievement is all the more impressive in light of the estimated lost rental revenue during the pandemic.

“It’s great, so great for the public, and we’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Kashton said.

And while many soccer purists — in the grand scheme of things — will always be fans of playing on grass, the needs of the grassroots community — ironically — are well served by synthetic turf surfaces, not least because of the obvious challenges of Winnipeg’s climate.

“ People are loving the new surface.

“There are challenges in keeping grass pitches here playable to their maximum,” Kashton said. “With synthetic pitches, you can play well into the fall.”

He said that technology has developed to the point now that the difference between synthetic and grass pitches is closer than ever before.

See www.winnipegsoccerfederation.ca for more information.