City soccer decision mystifies federation

No idea why it must apply to manage centre

The head of a Calgary soccer group says he’s surprised the city is seeking other operators to manage the complex after nearly 20 years.

Days after the city announced it is financing a much-needed annex for the Subway Soccer Centre and calling for a new operator, the president of the Calgary Soccer Federation says he wants to know why.

“I am delighted and disappointed in the same breath,” said Angus Smith. “Delighted the city committed additional funds and a permanent structure, but also disappointed they’ve elected not to renew the licence of occupancy.”

Smith says he is “mystified” how the city came to the decision to oust them as stewards of the facility.

“They haven’t said anything to us. They’ve made a decision in camera. I think I would like to further un- derstand that. There hasn’t been a reason as to why the lease has not been renewed,” said Smith.

The Subway Soccer Centre is a publicly and community-funded city facility on city-owned land. It has been operated by the Calgary Soccer Federation for the past 20 years.

On Wednesday, Mayor Naheed Nenshi told reporters the soccer federation is welcome to reapply to run the centre, and the city had no intention of disrupting the soccer season.

“They know they have some organizational issues and that they say they’ve been working on these issues. If they’re able to sort their issues out and apply to be the operator, I can’t see why we wouldn’t look at that application very fairly,” Nenshi told reporters.

But Smith says those problems are non-existent.

“It’s just not true,” he said, adding the not-for profit organization hired outside consultants for an organizational review at the city’s urging. Smith says only “housekeeping” issues were identified.

“It’s trying to make us look like we’re broke. If we managed to run the facility for 19 years, 10 months and 23 days, we’re doing well.”

The remaining cost of the estimated $11 million needed to add four indoor soccer fields at the Subway Soccer Centre will cost the city $5.23 million. The remaining $5 million will come from a city-led financing strategy, which is already under development.

Since the southeast indoor soccer centre’s dome collapsed for a second time in November 2010, the Calgary Soccer Federation decided not to reinflate it due to safety concerns.

Officials say the city’s decision to fund the annex was based on community need and the challenges faced by the Calgary Soccer Federation to raise significant capital dollars.

The group has contributed $770,000, according to the city.

The soccer federation’s operating licence expires Dec. 31.

In a letter to members on its website, the federation says it has concerns that another organization running the facility could result in lost revenue, lost jobs, higher rental rates and less priority for bookings.

Construction of the annex at 7000 48th St. S.E. is expected to take eight to 10 months from the start of construction.