By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

partnership renewed

Westerner Park welcomes Red Deer City Soccer to new Exhibition Hall training facility

Mar 15, 2022 | 1:52 PM

Westerner Park has a new partner for Exhibition Hall: the Red Deer City Soccer Association (RDCSA).

The RDCSA and Westerner had a 13-year long partnership prior to the pandemic which saw the association utilize mainly the Stockmen’s Pavilion as an indoor turf training facility. It had, closer to the pandemic’s beginning, started to use the Agricentre buildings at Westerner Park.

Now with COVID restrictions gone by the wayside, opportunity has knocked for Exhibition Hall to become the association’s latest facility, featuring state-of-the-art indoor turf, starting this October.

It will be able to facilitate one 9v9 field or two 7v7 fields.

“This (partnership) was a game-changer for us as we were able to continue to train and develop our players in an environment that mimics the outdoor game,” says Ado Sarcevic, RDCSA General Manager. “We were one of the pioneers in popularizing indoor boardless soccer in Alberta.”

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Dr. Stephen Kelly, RDCSA President, says the association has had record registration numbers.

“It is great to see families getting back into sport,” he says. “Kids need sport in so many ways: physical exercise, mental wellness, teamwork skills, building friendships and having fun. We look forward to providing the best possible experience for as many kids as possible.”

When the field is in, there will be a second-floor spectator area. The turf has no pellets, built-in padding and a velcro system for seamless construction and take down. Dressing rooms are also present in the facility.

Westerner Park officials say the space will still be used for events, as the turf can be removed and installed, just like in a hockey rink.

“We are excited to have a 10-year lease with Red Deer Soccer, and to be home to the growing sport of soccer,” said Mike Olesen, CEO. “The partnership is the definition of a win-win, providing us both with the security of a long-term agreement, and will still allow Westerner Park the flexibility to host additional events in the space.”

RDCSA says it is working out the details for an online booking system so that anyone can reserve a time slot to use the turf at Exhibition Hall.