In response to the growing demand for soccer during the off-season, the City of Windsor says it will build the first municipal artificial turf soccer field.
With a $400,000 donation from the Essex County Soccer Association, the city has earmarked $3-million to build the field at McHugh Park Soccer Complex.
The field will comply with International Federation of Association Football regulations. The project includes covered team shelters, an electronic scoreboard, enhanced lighting, and fencing.
Later this summer or early fall, the city put out a tender for designs with plans to start construction this fall or winter. The new field could be ready for next spring.
The city says demand to rent time on municipal soccer fields has increased 264.4 per cent since 2020. The new project should meet that demand by offering facilities not impacted by severe weather.
"With the new artificial turf field at McHugh Park Soccer Complex, we're expanding our city's ability to support year-round soccer and recreational activities," said Ward 7 Councillor Angelo Marignani.
Windsor could host high-level soccer tournaments with the new field, elevating the city's status as a sports tourism destination.