We sent out a Questionnaire to all of the City Council Candidates, and compiled their responses. Despite many of the candidates not reading the first question right, we had a decent response. It is worth noting that of the incumbents we only had 4 out of 9 responded (Scott McKeen sent me an email meant for someone else and then asked me to disregard). The Mayor was asked to weigh in and despite his plans for integration, poverty, multiculturalism and homelessness – he did not respond. Lets get into it.
We had a cheeky question that asked how the Candidate felt about Soccer (where there was only 1 answer choice)
We also had 100% agreement that Soccer needs to be incorporated in City of Edmonton facilities
We had a question asking if they would support a 10 year comprehensive plan for the city of Edmonton that would include indoor and outdoor facilities. This was also resoundingly positive with 88% of Candidates saying Yes, And only 3 saying “Maybe” including Ward 1’s Reuben Avellana, incumbent Andrew Knack, Ward 7’s Kris Andreychuk
We also asked about putting outdoor rubberized and fenced soccer pitches in our neighborhoods (pictured)
We moved into some Yes or No questions, where we asked if they supported the building of a dedicated Indoor Soccer Centre in 3 areas of the city, South, North and West – and here are there responses:
Our final questions were open ended see their full responses below.
Please go out and vote!
Ward 1 (4/4):
Reuben Avellana
How have you supported soccer in the past?
No
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
We would be in favor of re-purposing surplus land into public recreational facilities such as soccer fields instead of infills.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
My campaign is run on the principle of strategic efficiency for our city. Soccer is one of the more cost-efficient ways of promoting activity among children and adults.
Andrew Knack
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Complete the Recreation Facility Master Plan to determine if additional work specifically around soccer is needed..
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
A couple of notes: just because I support a dedicated indoor soccer centre does not mean we can build them all at once nor should it exclusive to soccer. There may be benefits in having a centre that other sports can use or having other indoor fields for other sports like pickleball. So I don’t want people to confuse my yes answers as a blank cheque to build new facilities. We need the 10 year plan and then we can plan for infrastructure needs.
Randy Allen
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes. When I was younger
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Soccer improving is not up to a city or town council but rather the groups and organizations that offer soccer as a sport or past time. All council can potentially do is verbally support these groups and ensure there is some public funding in regards to the facilities in which it is played on or in
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Soccer is an excellent low cost activity inn which people of all ages can help develop social skills, get exercise and learn to have fun at something in a team environment. It is my opinion all of our outdoor recreation areas need to be better maintained and safer for everyone.
Dave Olivier
I have received your survey and I can’t answer the questions on the survey because I don’t want my answers taken out of context. I hope the following provides an adequate explanation.
I have been involved in the soccer scene in Edmonton for about the last 13+ years. My oldest played soccer and my youngest is an absolute soccer nut! He played club soccer for the last outdoor season. Our family has seasons tickets to FC Edmonton and it sucks that I will have to miss the game today because of campaigning.
As far as supporting a 10 year comprehensive plan for soccer in the city of Edmonton, I think that the meat and potatoes of that plan should be prepared by the soccer community in Edmonton. I am currently involved with my sons team as team manager. As a parent who has played both club soccer and community soccer I have heard grumblings regarding dissension in the soccer community as far as the two premier leagues go. This should be addressed as well. We have indoor soccer centres now, one in the south, west and north, do we need more? Expansion may be needed.
I want to make perfectly clear, my main platform is fiscal responsibility and that increase in property taxes needs to be tied to the rate of inflation. That said, I also believe that with proper planning many projects in this city could take great leaps forward. I have heard on the campaign trail that the millions that was spent on bike lanes could have been more prudently spent elsewhere such as youth sports, activities to keep seniors more active (how about getting indoor soccer centres used during the week by seniors…hint…hint) and a host of other areas.
If elected one of my personal areas I would like to devote time is the local amateur sports scene in Edmonton. In our household we have always tried to keep our kids active (we have three 18, 14, 10). Along with playing organized sports, they have been progressing in swimming and Taekwondo in which they have earned 3rd degree for the oldest and the 2nd degrees for the two youngest.
I believe that in many areas of our civic government that some think outside the box thinking could produce great benefits for all.
Ward 2 (1/3):
Bev Esslinger
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Attend soccer events such as FIFA in city.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I want to support all recreation activities and soccer is of great interest to many Edmontonians. I like the idea of a 10 years master plan to address needs of citizens who play soccer.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
City can’t do this work alone but, together we can make it happen!
Ward 3 (2/5):
John Oplanich
How have you supported soccer in the past?
45 Years
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Community Leagues – www.ElectOplanich.com
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
www.ElectOplanich.com
Jon Dziadyk
I support increased recreational opporunities in Ward 3, including soccer. I want amenities on the North Side to be comparable to the rest of the city. Soccer is a realatively low cost sport and therefore a great equalizer amongst all those that participate. Active players lead active lives. I am a big supporter of competion and pushing one’s self to the limits. Active alternatives to sedimentary life styles should always be encouraged, especially activities that promote teamwork.
Ward 4 (2/12):
Felix Amenaghawon
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I play, enrolled my children in soccer, volunteer, watch the game and I love soccer.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I will seek to encourage every way possible
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
I love the beautiful game soccer and will support it any day.
Martin Narsing
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes, I used to play until a knee injury where my ACL was torn
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Promote soccer as well as all sports that promote good citizenship and community
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
We should build a soccer centre of excellence in the NE. We have the land to do!
Ward 5 (3/9)
James Prentice
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes, I coached my son’s teams, I play outdoor in EDSA and coordinate a small futsal group (30 men) that plays weekly during the offseason from Sept-April.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Would love to have a look at the breakdown of funding allocated to soccer and all other sports. I suspect soccer would be low on a dollar per participant basis. Compared to other sports, soccer facilities are often much cheaper to build and maintain and are/would be accessed by a greater number of Edmontonians. I’d support soccer wherever possible if I had the chance.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
I regularly play futsal at Terwilliger and have booked St. FX also. My sons’s teams hold practices in the rec centres as well. The City has never been anything but supportive. I would like to connect with you further to understand the issue, there must be something I’m missing.
However, regarding the general aim of this group, I’m on board 100%. The small-sided turf pitches in neighbourhoods would be awesome, I’ve played in soccer cages in many parts of the world. They’re very cheap to build and maintain – no turf needed in most cases. I’d love to support the building of a small number of these as pilots in certain neighbourhoods. Regarding the “No” responses to the Soccer Centres, I am committed to never saying Yes to anything unless I know enough to make a promise. I suspect I would support the idea of more soccer centres but would need more information before I say Yes. Would prefer if they were configured for fut7, I think it’s better game for player development than boarded area soccer, but that’s not an important detail at this stage. I think soccer truly is the beautiful game and I would love to see it continue to grow in this city.
Svetlana Pavlenko
How have you supported soccer in the past?
At the Candidate Forum for Ward 5 I stated that we need to do more to prevent crime in Edmonton. I strongly believe that Soccer and other sport activities are the great way to keep youth our of trouble. I always go to cheer for my friends’ children at all games.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I believe the City Council needs to create more opportunities for children and youth to participate in sport activities.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Sarah Hamilton
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes, as a young person, I placed soccer in the city for 8 years. It was a wonderful part of my youth and something everyone should have the opportunity to experience.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Having more access to recreation facilities stands to benefit families and young people.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Ward 6 (0/4):
No Responses
Ward 7 (1/6):
Kris Andreychuk
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I think it is incredibly important to have access to sports for all in Edmonton. Sports bring communities together, encourage relationships, and promote active and healthy living. On City Council, I would be open to how the City of Edmonton can support active living in the Edmonton through soccer and other sports. As an interesting aside, Ward 7 has 37% more soccer fields than the City average!
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
It’s difficult for me to commit (either way – yes or no) to building dedicated Indoor Soccer Centres without more context and information. What I will commit to is listen and work hard to ensure the City is meeting recreational demand with supply.
Ward 8 (4/6):
Kirsten Goa
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I currently play Women’s Classics (indoor and outdoor) and I have for the last 3 years. Started playing at 12 and started a woman’s team in 1993. I played until I was 27 when I quit due to injuries from a motor vehicle collision. I was a referee for a few years and started coaching when I was 17. Coached for 6 years (usually 2 teams, took a number of them to Provincials). Took a break when I had kids and then coached my own kids (teams ranging from U8-U14) for 5 years.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
We need to look at field maintenance beyond dandelions. Some fields are dangerous and rutted and need more rehsbilitation.
I would like to see standard field sizes in our mature neighbourhoods so that we could play in our communities instead of travelling so much. I’d also like to see indoor soccer facilities tied to other smaller recreation centres in mature neighbourhoods so we could sometimes play close to home.
I’d like to see recreation facilities that are flexible in terms of use so that they can accommodate shifting interests and demographics. This includes having indoor and outdoor facilities that meet specs but that are also adaptive. If we build new facilities I would like to see them on LRT or major transit routes. My older kids have quit due to a culture that is not very sporting. This is not an issue for everyone but more support for coaches around how to set tone and shape culture would be helpful.
We need to expand the opportunities for indoor practices including negotiating space more effectively.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Soccer has been an important part of my life as a player, coach and parent for over 30 years. Neighbourhood soccer is an amazing community builder in ways that we can’t always measure. I’ve always loved the accessibility of soccer and want to enhance opportunities for soccer in our communities. When it’s rooted in our neighbourhoods transportation is not an issue and costs can be kept down for families, making it easier for everyone to have an opportunity to play.
Ben Henderson
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Yes
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Soccer is one of the most affordable sport and is particularly important for new immigrant populations. It is also a rapidly growing sport in our country and city. We should be looking for ways to improve access to facilities for all ages and experience levels.
Eli Schrader
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I played competitive soccer for 8 years of my life.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Having a background in recreation, I believe that our leisure time is the very basis for developing community. I have worked with initiatives such as Abundant Communities, which connects neighbours through leisure activities like soccer. As a City Councillor, I will ensure there is adequate resources and space for all who wish to partake in recreational pursuits.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
I have checked yes to all above questions, it is important that with all of these facilities I would want suitable public engagement from each community and stakeholder before indicating yes.
James Kosowan
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes. My son played for Storm U-14 this past summer
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I would be supportive of helping to encourage soccer events (Women’s World Cup–I was a volunteer) and maintain and improve facilities under City control.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Since there are indoor soccer facilities on Victoria Trail (North) and off of 75 Street (South), my priority would be to see a facility built in the west end of Edmonton.
Ward 9 (4/5):
Payman Parseyan
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I have coached youth soccer. I am also the only Candidate in Ward 9 that has Soccer on my flyer as an important part of our community. Recently a cultural group I work with had a Soccer Tournament in my honor this summer, and I am very proud of being able to support the Soccer community.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I am willing to open the conversation about how we proactively set a roadmap to ensure our Soccer community is no longer underserved. First we need a 10 year plan that takes into consideration multiple factors that the community wants and needs. For example, should be build boarded or non boarded? Do we find neighborhoods or partners to ensure that we make indoor soccer facilities accessible for parents but also kids for walk-in, unstructured play? My job as a City Councillor is to do my very best in removing roadblocks to our community partners such as the Soccer Community, so that they can grow and thrive and benefit our community as a whole.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
At the doors I have heard the concerns from residents that there are simply not enough indoor soccer fields in Edmonton and the outdoor fields are an afterthought. We have 11 indoor fields that are carpeted and boarded, I would like to see more non boarded fields with engineered artificial turf. I would also like to see soccer facilities built in our communities, not in industrial areas. These soccer centres can be a community hub, they can provide cost recovery through food and beverage, meeting rooms, user fees, tournaments, banquets and other community events. 11 “fields” for 30,000+ athletes in Edmonton doesn’t sound proportionate. I would advocate to have a multi sport/use facility built in the Southwest. Soccer would fill the facility for the most part but believe there is opportunity for cricket, football, rugby and other field sports.
Outdoor fields, our green spaces are being turned into condos, our fields not only need to be protected but they need to be maintained. Weeds, dirt, uncut grass are easily solved problems with the right plan in place, including watering, fertilizing etc. Our roadside grass is better maintained than some of these soccer fields. We need to have creative ideas to change how we do things that impact so many of our citizens today.
The outdoor fenced in soccer pitches are a great idea, and I believe these are used often in other parts of the world, and by the picture it seems that it can be multi use and used for basketball as well. These are solutions that can help to maintain our green spaces and provide recreational equipment that kids can utilize anytime and for free.
I believe in helping our city and EEDC diversify our economy, with FC Edmonton’s Polar Cup for example – it is the largest indoor soccer tournament in Western Canada, what can we do to attract more tournaments here? First class facilities. The FIFA World Cup might be coming to Edmonton, we need to support this bid and put Edmonton front and center for the games in this bid. I believe hosting the biggest sporting event in the entire world would showcase Edmonton and attract more and more events.
Tim Cartmell
How have you supported soccer in the past?
As Chair of the TRAC Rec Centre Design sub-committee, I supported inclusion of soccer in the development of the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre, particularly when it became clear that four arenas were to be built in our new building. Our committee felt there was the possibility for both ice and soccer / in-line hockey / lacrosse in the building. Ultimately the city laned on the current operating model.
I registered and coached my children at a young age in community soccer, and I have attended several major soccer events in Edmonton. I follow the local FC Edmonton soccer team and I follow Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and World Cup
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Southwest Edmonton is the only quadrant of the City without a dedicated soccer centre. I would support development of a soccer centre, either as a stand-alone facility or as part of a new recreation centre.
The current operating model does no support changing just one of the Terwillegar arenas to soccer. I do not support renovation of Terwillegar Rec Centre on that basis. We need to construct a new soccer dedicated facility.
During development of the Terwillegar Rec Centre with community members, it became clear to the design sub-committee I led that many families in southwest Edmonton were simply not participating due to the lack of a facility. This was contrary to the feedback from city administration that a new facility in southwest Edmonton would compromise the success of existing facilities. There is a market and a need in our Ward for a dedicated soccer centre.
We need to remember that soccer is a game that appeals to families that cannot necessarily afford to participate in other winter sports, particularly hockey. For public facilities in Edmonton, we need to ensure we are accommodating the needs of all citizens.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
We need to ensure that we are providing access to recreation, and particularly spontaneous recreation to all of our citizens in all parts of the city. It is vitally important, that we give all of our children access to recreation and fitness. This leads to a life long participation in sport, health, fitness and recreation activities. It allows for the building of our social community. and provides opportunities for our children to learn critical skills including leadership, team- building, dealing appropriately with authority and adversity.
Soccer is a key activity in this regard. Particularly among new Canadians, it is the team sport of choice, the game that many children and families are inclined to participate in. I am keen to support developing more soccer opportunities, and to ensure economical access to soccer participation.
Particularly in Ward 9, I want to see a dedicated soccer facility for our quadrant of the city. An opportunity may be coming. The City has included an artificial turf facility just south of the Terwillegar Rec Centre in its future recreation facility plans, to be developed in the next few years. This is intended primarily as an outdoor facility, however there may be an opportunity to add a “bubble” for winter use. As mentioned, a separate, dedicated indoor soccer facility is also something I would strongly support for Ward 9.
Sandy Pon
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes. Lots of sprained ankles as a kid. I played soccer till my final year in high school. I was the Right Midfielder for the St. Joseph Catholic High School Senior Girls soccer team. We played all the way to the city finals. It was not easy to get on the school team that produced so many professional soccer players and coaches for Edmonton. My family especially my Dad is soccer fiend. We were wearing cleats by the time we can walk.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
As your councillor for Ward 9, I need to preserve and save the parks for soccer, and advocating for better funding. We do not have enough fields to accommodate the current demands of soccer team schedules. Smarter planning with Developers on new areas and modification of existing brown fills and infills are so important for the “Healthy City” Edmonton strategy throughout the city.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Soccer is a universal language in sports. It is the most economical sport for children in any community throughout the world. This is a sport that can build a community and bring participants and spectators together. Soccer has an impact on neighborhoods of all walks of life. Through sports, kids get guidance, opportunities, physical and mental fitness. My own upbringing in the sport and my professional skills in real estate will be used to the fullest in planning for healthier neighborhoods, better all-year round amenities, and funding partnerships.
Mark Hope
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I go my wife’s soccer games, and a few Eddies games. I have also been to a game in London, which was the highlight of my trip there.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
We could definitely use more sports facilities in the South West, especially with so many new neighbourhoods being built in ward 9. That is something I would like to achieve for both indoor and outdoor soccer.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Soccer is a really great sport to bring people together of all ages, and is great for physical and mental health. It is also great for young families with its relatively low cost. It is important to me to have transparency, as well as work to get as much input as possible from the public so you can get true representation. I have a more open source government policy than anyone, for that reason. That is also why I do not take developer or union campaign donations. I will represent you, not them, and then ban those donations to make a more level playing field (Or pitch?) in future elections, and get better councillors, making better decisions. Almost all candidates across the city cannot say the same, so please choose carefully in all wards.
Ward 10 (1/5):
Glenda Williams
What I love about playing soccer is running in the fresh air. Soccer needs support as all sports do. The best support is making sure there are areas to play green space. My vison of Edmonton is for a world class destination city with all the comforts of home. A smart, sophisticated city. Depending on the budget we need one arena. I would need more info why a rubberized arena is better than grass. Grass is multi purpose and can be used by many sports.
My focus will be on providing basic facilities for everyone. Soccer competitions we should assist with funding. Bring the best in soccer to Edmonton we need to do.
If you want state of the art soccer facilities in the four corners of the city that is better suited by the prince and princesses of industry to fund.
Communication, Consultation, Collaboration are the key points of my campaign. This is a city built for champions. We need champion facilities. You make the difference because there’s a champion in us all
Vote Glenda for Ward 10 I support spots. I’m listening.
Ward 11 (4/6):
Chris Christianson
How have you supported soccer in the past?
No, I have not. I like Soccer, but have never had the chance to play it on a team.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I will do what the community want to do with the Soccer players.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
I would support Soccer in our communities of ward 11 to benefit the Constituents and use our green areas wisely.
Keren Tang
How have you supported soccer in the past?
We are spectators of the sport. I participated in several games when Edmonton held the women’s World Cup tournament. Recently, we took our young daughter to her first FC Edmonton game.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
We are lucky to have Edmonton Soccer Centre South in Ward 11. As a public health professional, I know that community sports like soccer contribute to healthy, vibrant individuals and communities. Soccer is a wonderful sport because it connects across cultural background, age, and socio-economic status. In my work as the President of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition, we often held soccer tournament as a way to connect with youth and bring communities together.
I would improve the experience of soccer by making sure it is accessible and affordable to a wider range of Edmontonians. Initiatives like Free Footie already work to make soccer free for children in high-needs areas. But I know that transportation continues to be a barrier for many Edmontonians to be able to get to games (whether indoor or outdoor games). Improving transportation connectivity within, and to Ward 11 is linked to improving the experience of soccer, so that everyone can get to places of play!
Recreation facilities, like soccer facilities, have important benefits for our health and community-building. I would also work to improve the engagement process for recreation facilities, so that the design of these facilities reflects the community needs. I strongly believe in meaningful community engagement for planning. Not only will we build stronger community, but we can efficiently allocate funds, and be more fiscally responsible.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
With reference to the questions above, I support the principle of making soccer and recreation more accessible to Edmontonians, and ensuring that our recreation facilities meet the demands of our growing population. Given that we already have several indoor soccer centres in Edmonton, before building new ones, I would first engage the soccer community and sports and recreation community partners, and support the creation of Comprehensive 10 year plan for soccer facilities, to ensure that any new facilities constructed are in line with what the community wants, and make sure that funds are efficiently allocated.
Troy Pavlek
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yep
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
Soccer deserves to have year-round facilities not just for the 44% of kids, but also for the adults who can include soccer as part of an active lifestyle. McDavid is cool and all, but we’re not just a hockey town, so let’s make sure our infrastructure spending reflects that.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Brandy Burdneiuk
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I know our Soccer director Dee could improve communication between EMSA and the City of Edmonton, mostly to do with fields. She could also use more support from the city for line painting, registration, engagement, and refereeing.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Dedicated Indoor Soccer Centres are important, and they need to meet the demand while also balancing budget constraints. I am a little hesitant to commit to only dedicating them for Soccer, because there are other great sports like field hockey that really need space too.
Ward 12 (2/5):
Walter Youb
How have you supported soccer in the past?
Yes, I have played soccer in the past and currently coach my daughter’s soccer team.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
I am looking to improve community activities of all types as part of campaign. I would kike like to see more funding and options for youths and adults.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
I think that team sports and other activities that allow the community to gather and get to know each other are vitally important to grow a strong city. They create safer neighbourhoods and foster economic growth. The health benefits of sports also reduce costs for healthcare. I feel that the city should help subsidize these programs and build facilities in community rec centres. I also believe that some of the funds should come from private donations. We need to work with organizations like EMSA to make these activities available to everyone.
Moe Banga
How have you supported soccer in the past?
I have been playing soccer for over 30 years, since the day i arrived in Edmonton. I have played on teams through Punjab United, Edmonton Soccer Association.
I have also been a director on the PUSHA and EDSA board.
I have coached Millwoods soccer for all 3 of my kids and as well the 5 grandkids, in addition I have coached high caliber teams such as Team India in the Mini World Cup.
Lastly, i have been heavily involved in the process of the Ivor Dents Sports Park being developed, and now supporting the Scottish Indoor Soccer Field in the South.
How do you hope to improve the experience of soccer if you are elected to City Council?
By meeting the needs of the soccer players and enthusiasts that live in Edmonton all year around and not seasonally. If wee need more fields, programs, or any other resources I am all for it. I would love to make this city recognized through soccer, to the point where we can hold big events and tournaments that people from around Alberta and even around Canada would come down for such events.
Is there anything else you would like the 30,000 strong voter base soccer community to know?
Goals: To inspire a generation of youth to engage in soccer. To create top caliber players out of Edmonton to compete Internationally. Make Edmonton a world class level city for soccer competitions.
Objectives to meet goals: Implement Development plans for soccer in the city. Improve soccer infrastructure and resources.Slowly working up to the level to collaborate with world class training camps and creating talent programs.
Overall, soccer is the one sport that unites different communities together, and is easily accessible to families (low costs, open fields to practice around the city).
When it comes to soccer I am all for it!
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