News Municipal Sports turf
Huge increase in cost of sports dome will leave young soccer players in the cold

The expense of putting a protective winter dome over a popular soccer field in the Montreal area has escalated so much that it’s unlikely it will happen this year.

The cost of having a dome in place this year is expected to be about $464,000, or a 60 per cent increase above last year’s cost. The Saint-Léonard borough says unless financial assistance comes from the City of Montreal, there will be no dome this winter.

An official with the Saint-Léonard Soccer Association said about 700 young soccer players in the area will be without a place to play if the dome isn’t erected. The timing of the announcement comes as players are beginning to register for winter play.

Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles Mayor Caroline Bourgeois, who is in charge of sports and recreation for the City of Montreal, said it’s hoped a solution can be worked out with the borough to establish a more permanent site, but the timing to secure funding for this winter isn’t right.