Dome will let players train in traditional game all year

Purveyors of the Edmonton Soccer Dome hope to change the game for the better in the city and throughout the province.

The 12,540-square-metre structure, commissioned by the Edmonton Scottish Society and set to open in four weeks, will allow the traditional outdoor game to be played indoors on a year-round basis.

“I think what it signals, is the game is evolving,” said Kevin Poissant, Edmonton Scottish United Soccer Club technical director. “We understand the importance of player development and coaching education and referee development. One of the pieces of the puzzle that is being addressed now is also facility development. Being able to play and train in the traditional game environment 12 months of the year, I think it’ll make an impact in the city of Edmonton.”

The Soccer Dome, located on the society’s grounds at Grant MacEwan Park on the city’s far south-side, can be configured in three different game models suiting seven aside, nine aside and the tradition 11-aside game. It is the largest structure of its kind in Canada and is among the largest in North America. The facility will accommodate a number of youth leagues and be available for private use.

“Our (soccer) community, as large as it is, is still fairly small, so we have constant communication and lots of dialogue and we consider ourselves partners in this,” Poissant said. “We might compete on the field, but off the field, we’re partners in the development of the game.

“Everyone is excited, we’re increasing the inventory of boardless environment. Both of the youth associations in Edmonton, EMSA, and the association in which we play, EIYSA, they’re running leagues here. That’s a new step for the Edmonton minor soccer association, who have played and will continue to play in the boarded five-a-side game model. But they ’re seeing the value of this style of football in the winter, so they’re coming on board as well.”

Traditionally in winter, soccer in the city is taken indoors into a hybrid version played on what’s essentially a hockey rink.

Edmonton has three major indoor facilities and a number of smaller facilities in the surrounding area.

The indoor, boarded game has its benefits in terms of player development. The five-aside game provides more opportunities for players to play the ball and forces them to navigate in tight spaces.

The Soccer Dome will provide another game option without boards.

“I think it’s a complementary piece of the puzzle,” Poissant said. “I think the boarded game is a great environment for a lot of levels of the game, but for the aspirational athlete for a lot of kids that are trying to be selected into programs, like the regional Excel Centre, players that are knocking on the door of FC Edmonton, they are looking for a traditional game environment and a traditional training environment. That’s something we can provide.”

Early returns suggest the Edmonton Soccer Dome will be very busy throughout the year. Along with the two youth leagues, the Edmonton Sport and Social Club will be operating a league in the facility.

National and provincial bodies are also expected to make use of the dome.

“Canada Soccer and Alberta Soccer are very excited about this project,” Possiant said. “The Alberta Soccer Association will be having its regional Excel Centre for young female athletes, they’ll be using facility four days a week and they can see the benefit of it, unquestionably.”

The Soccer Dome is also in talks with the Edmonton Soccer Association to put an adult league in the facility in some form.