How To Help

Your support will help us realize our goal to make a difference in the lives of Calgarians and the quality of life in our city. We are committed to being good stewards of your support and welcome you to download the donation form on this page and make your contribution. For more details about the project please review the electronic brochure also available on this page.

FAQs

1. Who is the Calgary Soccer Federation?

A not for profit organization formed by volunteers in 1984 to unite the efforts and activities of the Calgary soccer community;

• Focused on developing world-class programs, services and facilities on a city-wide basis for amateur soccer players at all levels, demographics and cultural backgrounds;
• Comprised of three member organizations, the Calgary Minor Soccer Association, Calgary United Soccer Association and Calgary Women’s Soccer Association;
• Owns and successfully operates the SUBWAY Soccer Centre and the Calgary Northeast Sports Facility;
• Annual revenues of over $10 million are invested back into the development of soccer and various field sports in the community.

2. Describe the project and its benefits to the community.

This project involves the replacement of four natural grass fields at the SUBWAY Soccer Centre with four artificial turf fields and the addition of one new artificial turf field to help address the critical shortage of rectangular sports fields in Calgary as identified by the Calgary Sports Council/City of Calgary;

• Benefits include … more players, enhanced training & sport development, more games and practices and longer playing season
• The addition of five new fields with a longer playing season will result in an increased capacity and more stability in the system by enhancing scheduling and improving the use of fields throughout the city;
• This will facilitate greater participation in amateur sport at all levels including community sport and school athletic activities;
• More Calgarians of all ages will be able to be active and engaged in community sport;
• Increased opportunities for training and sport development;

3. Who benefits from this project?

• The entire soccer community which consists of about 100,000 people including players, coaches, referees, volunteers, parents and spectators, and especially youth where there is the most steady and growing interest in the game;
• Athletes and other participants involved in other field sports;
• The overall community through enhanced quality of life and wellness.

4. What is the overall cost of the project and how is it being funded?

• The cost of the project is $13 million;
• CSF and its member organizations have designated $1 million in support of the artificial turf project;
• The City of Calgary has contributed $4.5 million toward the construction of three of the five fields. CSF and its member organizations have designated $1 million in support of the project. As well, the provincial government has committed $325,000 through the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). Individuals, corporations and foundations are now being asked to contribute to this worthy project.

5. Why doesn’t the city/government fund it all?

• The city has agreed to partner in sport and recreation projects like Fields For Life by providing a substantial percentage of the project cost (i.e., approximately 35%). The partnership model involving government, charities and donors has proven successful and provided Calgarians with more services and amenities than would be possible with only government funding.

6. Why are you doing five fields? Why have you chosen artificial turf?

• The SUBWAY Soccer Centre (SSC) was identified as the ideal location for new artificial turf because the infrastructure already exists to host major tournaments as well as increased local use;
• Upgrading existing facilities at SSC to artificial turf represents many long term benefits;
  • Artificial turf has proven to be more environmentally friendly, safer for the athletes and adaptabl;
  • The fields can be used for soccer, ultimate Frisbee, football, field lacrosse, rugby and cricket;
  • Artificial turf fields function at a higher level than grass fields since the substructure is designed to draw water away from the fields quickly;
  • Artificial turf fields will double the current annual capacity for playing time hours and as such are financially sustainable generating sufficient revenue to pay for lifecycle and maintenance costs, operating reserves and contribute to the future development of sport and facilities.

7. Given our climate, why are you building more outdoor fields and not indoor fields?

• The Calgary Sport Council Study identified the greatest shortfall is currently in outdoor rectangular fields;
• Comparative studies across Canada also show that Calgary is lagging behind other urban centres in the area of artificial turf.

8. What is your long range vision?

• This project is the first step in an exciting and comprehensive vision for growing and strengthening the sport of soccer for the benefit of the Calgary community;
• Our top priorities include the following —
  • The development of proper facilities in all four quadrants of the City of Calgary consisting of indoor and outdoor artificial turf as well as tournament facilities for hosting major national and even international events. This is being done in coordination with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Sports Council;
  • Enhancing programming to promote athlete development at all levels as well as the development and training of coaches and officials, again at all levels of the sport;
  • Building new partnerships with schools and post secondary institutions as well as others in the sport community to help develop the sport of soccer and provide training and support for soccer programs and athletes throughout the community;
  • Promoting and marketing the sport and various program opportunities to help raise the understanding of its benefits as well as the profile of soccer and, in particular, accomplishments within the Calgary sport community;
• Our goal is to achieve steady and measured growth by building on a strong foundation of excellence in the sport, a successful business model and a committed community of players, coaches, officials, parents and volunteers;
• The goal of CSF is to position Calgary as a leader in Canada for soccer programs, players and facilities.

9. The cost for five fields seems high. Isn’t there a more economical way to address this need?

• After careful study and evaluation the replacement of these four existing grass fields with artificial turf was deemed the most efficient and effective way to address the critical shortage of rectangular sport fields in Calgary.

10. I would like to help but there are a lot of urgent needs in our city right now, and growing competition for donated dollars among very needy causes. What makes this a priority at this time?

• Three of society’s top issues can be addressed by growing this part of soccer. These include:
  • Active living, especially among youth and children
  • Youth at risk
  • Cultural integration
Background:
• In the world of Canadian sport, soccer mobilizes the greatest number of participants and as such is a means of education, of healthy living and of integration within society. (Canadian Soccer Association)
• The significance of sport to improving health levels has implications for government policies and programs. The cost to government of supporting sport is small in comparison to health spending due to inactivity. (The Conference Board of Canada)
• Youth involved in sport are more likely than those who are not active to eat healthy and weigh less, and are less likely to smoke, do drugs, engage in sexual activity and feel bored or hopeless. (Fields For Life Case for Support)
• Participation in sports at a young age increases the odds of being physically active later in life by a measure of five to six fold. The statistics show that serious health issues such as childhood obesity are on the rise and a large contributing factor to many health problems, including childhood obesity, is the lack of regular physical activity. (Fields For Life Case for Support)
• Sport’s benefits are not limited to individuals. Sport can also help to strengthen communities by building social capital and fostering greater inclusion of marginalized or excluded groups. (The True Sport Report)
• It is well documented that sport participation causes people from different backgrounds to work and play together in a positive way and there is a growing body of research indicating that in many cases soccer in particular is a tangible and very effective way for newcomers to integrate into a community; an issue that is becoming increasingly significant in Calgary. (Fields For Life Case for Support)

12. Who will own and operate the fields?

• The fields will be owned by the Calgary Soccer Federation and operated by the staff at the SUBWAY Soccer Centre.

13. What is the relationship between the CSF and the SUBWAY Soccer Centre?

• The SUBWAY Soccer Centre is owned and operated by the Calgary Soccer Federation.

14. Will you be able to provide a tax receipt?

• Yes, tax receipts will be provided by the Parks Foundation Calgary.

15. Who else are you asking to support this campaign?

• Our first ask was to our own members. They have contributed $1 million to this project while also contributing $1 million to the construction of soccer fields in the northeast as part of a campaign for a major new recreation centre in Saddle Ridge. Our next ask was to all three levels of government. Finally, we are approaching individuals, corporations and foundations in the city.

16. Why do you believe you will be successful?

• Soccer is Canada’s fastest growing sport because increasingly people see the many benefits for themselves and for their community and city. We have a proven track record of success in operating the SUBWAY Soccer Centre and three very active associations all working together to grow the sport. As well, there is a genuine and urgent need for appropriate facilities as recognized by the City of Calgary.

17. If I support your campaign will I then be asked to support another soccer group or recreation group campaign for more new fields or improvements to existing facilities?

• This project is the number one priority of the Calgary soccer community;
• We know there will be more projects in the future but we are trying coordinate all efforts in conjunction with the Calgary Sports Council and the City of Calgary to reduce duplication and overlap.

18. Instead of asking a small number of people for such large contributions, why don’t you just ask everyone involved in soccer to each give a small amount?

• We are following the pattern and model of other groups who have found that 80% of funds needed are likely going to come from 20% of donors to their campaign. Every effort will be made to engage people at all levels but for some their contribution will be the fees they pay to play the game or the hours they volunteer to support the project.

19. How do your plans fit with the city’s plans and that of other field sport groups (i.e., is there some kind of master plan for the city)?

• We are working in cooperation with the Calgary Sport Council who, in concert with the City of Calgary, have developed an Artificial Turf Development Plan. Our project will accelerate the completion of this plan.

20. How will the CSF sustain this expansion and lifecycle requirements in the long run?

• This is a self sustaining project and our request is for a one-time donation toward this project;
• We have developed a business case that demonstrates net revenue per artificial turf field over a 10 year period of $2 million which, when combined with additional revenues from the existing food and beverage facilities at the SUBWAY Soccer Centre, will enable continued partnership opportunities for the development of additional fields and facilities within Calgary.

21. Why don’t you just borrow the funds you need over and above what government provides?

• According to our business plan we are able to carry a certain amount of debt and we may have to do that to build the fields for the spring of 2010. Our revenue projections do not allow us to finance the entire project.

22. Who would I be donating the money to?

• Your cheque would be made out to the Parks Foundation of Calgary who will issue the tax receipt and provide us with the donation for the express purpose of building the artificial turf fields.

23. Are you going to pursue support via sponsorship and if so why do you need donations?

• We are pursuing all avenues of support including sponsorship. Sponsorship support is often over a longer period of time and is typically applied to annual operations. Our need is for donations to help build the new fields within the shortest time possible.

24. Will you accept pledges?

• Yes! We would like as much as support as possible up front, but support over two or even three years would still allow us to build the new fields now.

To support this initiative or for more information, please contact:

Melody Warman,
Chair of Communications Committee
Fields For Life Campaign
7000 - 48 Street SE
Calgary, Alberta Canada
T2C 4E1

Tel: 403-723-9277
Email: fieldsforlife@gmail.com

“I ask everyone who shares our vision and supports our goals for this community to join our team by making a generous contribution to this cause.”

Angus Smith, President, Calgary Soccer Federation

"The development of these new fields is one of our greatest priorities. We are grateful for the leadership and hard work of members of the Calgary soccer community who have lead this process and developed a great vision for going forward."

Gord Smith, Chair, Calgary Sport Council

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soccer centre
turf field plan