New Sports Facility to Benefit Intramurals and Varsity Sports

The news is buzzing with the big changes Redeemer is promising. Massive amounts of funding from the government have allowed for drastic improvements to Redeemer’s campus. The cost of the 4.8 million dollar project is being split between the government with 2.6 million dollars pledged, 1.2 – 2.2 million raised by the Ancaster Soccer Club, and a possible 1 million dollar loan from the city of Hamilton that will hopefully come interest free. This includes not only the much talked about soccer facility but the outdoor soccer field will also receive lights, bleachers, and class ‘A’ turf.

In partnership with the Ancaster Soccer Club, Redeemer hopes to build a brand new facility that will include a full size
indoor soccer field, a field house, a lobby with concession, four change rooms, and storage. An inflatable dome, allowing for winter use, will cover it. This brand new field will be one of the most elite throughout all Ontario. The outdoor soccer field will also receive lights, bleachers, and class ‘A’ turf. The cost of the 4.8 million dollar project is being split between the provincial and federal governments who have together pledged 2.6 million dollars, a possible 1 million dollar interest free loan and 1.2 – 2.2 million raised by the Ancaster Soccer Club. It is an expensive endeavour, but one that will be particularly beneficial to Redeemer students. Athletic Director Dave Mantel explains that, “Potentially, we could triple, maybe quadruple, the access our students have to intramural sports.” The addition of a new complex will free up much gym space and dramatically increase the quality of varsity and intramural sports at Redeemer. Assuming the finances are available in time, construction is tentatively set to begin in the latter part of October 2009 in order to be completed by late spring and fully operational the following September.

As this project is a partnership between the Ancaster Soccer Club and Redeemer University College while also being largely government funded, this facility will also be made available to the neighbouring community.it will be quite common for people in the neighbouring communities to be making use of this facility. However, Redeemer will get the chance to meet its program needs first with the Ancaster Soccer Club working around this schedule. The remaining time will be left open to the general public. Dave Mantel points out that “our needs are very complimentary. [The Ancaster Soccer Club’s] main seasons are in the summer and evenings of the winter, while we will be making particular use of it throughout the fall and part of the winter.” The Ancaster Soccer Club will work around Redeemer’s schedule with the remaining time left open to the general public. It is an exciting partnership with much to look forward to!