The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has started construction on a new field house behind the Health and Family Services Building on Lark Street in Chatham.
The project is the result of a partnership between the municipality, the Chatham Youth Soccer Association (CYSA), Community Living Chatham-Kent (CLCK), and the C-K Public Health Unit.
“We’re very fortunate to have such a great working relationship with our community groups. They not only identified an important need, they assisted with the funding and ongoing operations.” said Deborah Veccia, supervisor for Chatham Parks and Horticulture, in a media release.
The field house will provide fully accessible washrooms, a canteen, and a new storage area for the CYSA.
Four portable toilets currently service the soccer fields, while youth soccer equipment is stored off site.
The new canteen will be operated by CLCK as part of its skills training program.
The CYSA looks forward to the building’s completion to meet their growing demand.
“The facility provides a service to 1,250 boys and girls weekly,” said Martin Aarts, the administrative director of CYSA. “Up to 800 players and spectators can attend on a soccer night.”
The $420,000 project received contributions of $75,000 and $35,000 from the CYSA and the Public Health Unit respectively. The balance is funded from the 2017 Capital Budget and Parkland Reserve.
Several years ago, the Public Health Unit had funding within it’s Cancer Prevention Program for shade initiatives; this was an opportunity to increase access to shade for the many children and families who attend events on the soccer fields.
The field house is scheduled to be open by spring 2018.
