YORKTON — The Yorkton United Football Club (YUFC) is excited to have two new 5-on-5 turf fields completed and in use.
A tournament was held Oct. 4 on the pitches, which measure 50 by 90 feet. A total of 136 athletes from Yorkton, Moose Jaw and Langenburg competed from the under-9 to under-13 age groups.
Then local teams played on the fields Oct. 5 to wrap up the outdoor soccer season.
YUFC president Michelle McCrea said it was very exciting to see the fields finished and the lights on when she visited them on Oct. 3.
“There is something just very novel about being able to play under the lights,” she said. “They look phenomenal. I was itching to get my own cleats on and run around, but unfortunately we had some more work to do. I am excited to play on them, and I can only imagine that all of the kids are, too.”
YUFC has been looking at ways to be able to contribute to its membership and programming, she said, while improving the facilities they’re using. She believes it’s been over nine years since the organization started looking at different options.
“Last year, we started looking at the possibility of some smaller outdoor turf fields that would fit within a budget that we could fundraise for, and then ... we went before city council with a proposal for us to get an interest-free loan. So once council was in support of that, that’s what really put this very much in motion.”
The organization hopes other programs and user groups, such as schools, can also benefit from the fields.
“We were looking at some options to develop a walking soccer program for people who might not be as mobile or wouldn’t be able to keep up to the normal pace of soccer, so we’re hoping that we can launch some of that as well to benefit a wider scope in our community.”
Members have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the fields, she said. They didn’t want to say they would be ready by a certain date and not deliver.
“You have to see them in person,” said McCrea. “We have the renderings and you look at the pictures, but it doesn’t capture the scope of them. And then when you see them in person, you see the quality and just how the facility is.
“It looks like something that a bigger centre would have, so I’m excited for Yorkton to have a facility like this.”
McCrea expects a grand opening will be held for the fields next spring. YUFC also thanked their sponsors for contributing to getting the fundraising going, as well as the City of Yorkton and Yorkton Parks and Recreation.
“Without their loan and financing, this project wouldn’t have been possible,” said McCrea.
YUFC is still fundraising actively for the project, so if anyone is interested in sponsorship or advertising on their boards, they would be happy to talk.
