Calgary, AB – The City of Calgary, Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association, Calgary Minor Soccer Association, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club and the Calgary Stampeder Football Club announced today plans for the 2019 Grey Cup Legacy Project. The groups have teamed up in the pursuit of funds to provide an air-supported shelter for one of the turf fields at Shouldice Athletic Park. The seasonal shelter will provide a place to play for teams during the winter months in Calgary.
“The seasonal shelter is an opportunity for The City of Calgary to utilize an existing outdoor recreation facility year-round. The shelter pilots an exciting financial framework for future facilities in line with The City’s partnership approach to service delivery. This shelter is the result of years of hard work among our partners to ensure the needs of citizens are served,” said City of Calgary Councillor Ward Sutherland
The inflatable shelter will be available during the months of October to May, thereby maximizing the use of this field year-round. The shelter is projected to provide an estimated 1,850 hours of programmable time for sports groups in Calgary. Funding for the project is being raised and provided by The City of Calgary, Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association, Calgary Minor Soccer Association, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club and the Calgary Stampeders Foundation. Proceeds from the Grey Cup Festival and Grey Cup 50/50 will be directed to the project through the Calgary Stampeders Foundation. As a result of hosting the 107th Grey Cup, not only will thousands of visitors be welcomed to the City of Calgary and Calgary culture, a lasting legacy will be left behind in the Shouldice Indoor Athletic Facility.
“This project will address a significant need in our community,” said Jeff McCaig, Chair of the Calgary Stampeders Foundation. “We could not be more excited to announce this today alongside a group of passionate and dedicated partners in the City of Calgary, Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association, Calgary Minor Soccer Association and the Blizzard Soccer Club. This will provide a much-needed place to play for our community in the winter months.”
“The Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association wishes to express its thanks to our partners, Calgary Stampeder Football Club, Calgary Minor Soccer Association and Blizzard Soccer Club for their help and assistance in making the Shouldice Indoor Facility a reality,” said Greg Peterson, President, Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association. “We have been working on this project for over three years and we hope the future users of this facility will appreciate the hard work and efforts by many to build this facility. This project signifies the successful partnership and the collective efforts of many to build a much-needed facility for Calgary minor sports and all sports and athletic groups in general.”
“Calgary Minor Soccer Association is proud to be partnering with the GCAFA, the Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club and the City of Calgary to bring an indoor seasonal structure to this location. Adding an additional full-sized field will improve the accessibility of sport and provide significant opportunities for our member-clubs and the 25,000 youth players that we serve,” said Susan Cress, Executive Director, Calgary Minor Soccer Association. “This is an exceptional opportunity for soccer, football and other sporting groups to increase participation, enhance player development and further support their programs throughout the winter months.”
“For our club, it has always been about giving the best experience on and off the field for our boys and girls,” said Brendan O’Connell, Sporting Director, Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club. “The Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club is ecstatic to be a part of this project with our esteemed community partners. This project will provide top-class facilities to not only benefit the development of our players, but will extend beyond soccer to the sporting community as a whole.”
About Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA)
CMSA is dedicated to working with our member organizations to develop, organize, promote and create opportunities that allow all participants to reach their desired level of achievement with the sport of youth soccer. CMSA is the governing body of youth soccer in Calgary here to support our member-clubs as well as provide opportunities for all participants in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. CMSA is responsible for scheduling league games, hosting post-season play and tournaments, providing coach education and resources, offering referee mentorship and support while working with our stakeholders to grow soccer in Calgary.
About Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club
The Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club began in 1967 and encompasses players aged four to adult in year-round programming. As an organization, we are endorsed by The Canada Soccer Association as one of their National Youth Club License holders. Our goal as a club is to create a fun and appropriately challenging environment where players will have the opportunity to learn and fall in love with the game with the ultimate goal being soccer for life.
About Greater Calgary Amateur Football Association (GCAFA)
The GCAFA is comprised of representatives of all the football related Calgary organizations and minor league programs. It was originally formed to address the dire need that exists in the City of Calgary with respect to (amateur football fields), specifically artificial turf surfaces. GCAFA currently acts as the organization to unify football in Calgary and to initiate and oversee projects or initiatives to better assist minor football and football in general in Calgary.
About Calgary Stampeders Foundation
The Stampeders Foundation is committed to the support of amateur and grassroots football and sports in Calgary and southern Alberta communities. In addition to facilitating access to all levels of sport and football, the Stampeders Foundation is proud to support a number of health initiatives through player involvement and in-game initiatives. The 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw will be played on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Calgary at McMahon Stadium.