Snow delays season start for minor soccer players

The Calgary Minor Soccer Association is delaying the start of its pre-season until May 5 as city athletic fields remain covered in snow.

“As a result of the city’s uncertainty regarding field opening dates, CMSA has made a tough decision to delay the start of preseason play until Saturday, May 5, for all tiers/divisions,” the soccer association said in a statement on its website.

“While unfortunate, we feel this is the best course of action as opposed to scheduling games and having to cancel them on short notice. Furthermore, many of our clubs would have extremely limited access to fields prior to our original start date, thus influencing their teams’ preparedness to start the season.”

According to the association, the pre-season was scheduled to start one weekend earlier, on April 28. The delayed season start will result in the loss of one pre-season game for U9-19, the association said.

A statement on the city ’s athletic parks website indicates that due to extended cold temperatures and above-normal snowfall this winter, delays are anticipated in the opening dates of its athletics parks.

The city said field conditions are being monitored. A list of current field statuses is posted on the recreation section of the city’s website. Fields will open once they are in dry condition.

The Calgary Minor Softball Association said in a statement on social media that it is monitoring the opening dates of athletic parks.

“We continue to plan but are prepared to adjust as needed,” the statement reads.