Cambridge new soccer field complex to get $1.2M

Cambridge has approved spending $1.2 million to purchase a property near Fountain Street and Linden Drive for a new outdoor soccer complex.
CBC News ·
Cambridge council approved purchasing the land for a $1.2 million outdoor soccer complex. The purchase is pending an environmental assessment and approval from the Grand River Conservation Authority. (City of Cambridge)

Cambridge councillors have conditionally approved buying a 22 hectare property at a price of  $1.2 million for a new outdoor soccer complex.

The land is located at Fountain Street and Linden Drive.

Cambridge Youth Soccer will be paying $600,000 towards the land purchase.

The complex will include 12 playing fields including mini, intermediate and senior levels.

It's the first major soccer park in the city.

Cambridge Youth Soccer general manager Derek Bridgman said they are "ecstatic" about the project.

"As our organization continues to grow in both the grassroots and high performance areas, the need for a municipally-owned, soccer-specific field has never been greater," Bridgman said.

"A combination of synthetic and premium grass fields in one location will benefit the Cambridge soccer community for years to come."

Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig said the soccer park will "help support the healthy growth and development of our youth community."

The land purchase is subject to an environmental assessment and support from the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The environmental assessment process is expected to wrap up in the fall of 2019 and construction could begin in 2020.