A casual conversation seven years ago at a Burnaby coffee shop could yet be the genesis of a new generation of B.C. soccer players leading Canada to Olympic and World Cup glory.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, that conversation took a major leap forward as representatives from Port Coquitlam council, BC Soccer and Canada Soccer gathered at Gates Park to hoist shovels of dirt to officially begin construction of a new facility for the sport that includes a FIFA-regulation field turf pitch as well as a field house integrated with a covered grandstand.
The project is budgeted to cost $11.4 million. More than half the money — $6.7 million — is coming from the provincial government. BC Soccer and the city are each kicking in $2.5 million.
When completed, the facility will be the hub for BC Soccer where offices and boardrooms within the field house will give the organization a central location to better train coaches and officials while the province’s top players are able to sharpen their skills and take their game to the next level on the pitch out front.
Today, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Gates Park to launch the start of construction for the new fieldhouse — a modern, state-of-the-art soccer and community hub, a PoCo Soccer office, and BC Soccer’s new headquarters.
— City of Port Coquitlam (@CityofPoCo) August 14, 2024
More info ➡ https://t.co/NGxLvO4dqN#PortCoquitlam pic.twitter.com/ZGnfIlYH2T
As well, young players from PoCo Euro-Rite FC, local adult leagues and the PoCo Saints field lacrosse program will also be able to take advantage of the new digs that will increase the number of field turf pitches to three at the park next to Riverside Secondary School.
But it all started when Ryan Clark, the executive director of the Port Coquitlam Sports Alliance, had a light bulb moment while talking to Carlo Grosso, the president of BC Soccer’s board of directors and the father of Canadian national team player and 2020 Olympic gold medalist Julia Grosso.
Carlo Grosso was lamenting BC Soccer’s scattershot operations that had administrators located in offices leased in various strip malls and light industrial buildings, as well as championship tournaments nomadically moving around the province.
“This was our number one goal, getting a field and offices in the same facility,” Grosso recalled Wednesday.
That facility should be in Port Coquitlam responded Clark, without hesitation.
He said he saw it as a win-win arrangement that would not only benefit BC Soccer and facilitate its aspirations to become a powerhouse for developing emerging young stars but also help foster further love for the game in local players who just want to kick the ball around and have fun with their teammates.
“This can be a game-changer,” Clark said.
Fortunately, he added, the idea was an easy sell when he presented it to city council.
“It will create an unparalleled experience for kids who aspire to one day wear the Maple Leaf,” said Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West. “It also provides increased opportunities for recreational activities for everyone in the community.”
Construction is expected to proceed in stages, with the field turf pitch ready for its first matches by fall 2025.
When fully completed, Clark said the facilities at Gates Park, that already include several grass pitches, diamonds for softball and baseball, as well as tennis courts, a fitness circuit and, eventually, pickle ball courts, will be unmatched anywhere else in the province, especially with the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre just a short walk away.
Clark said its uses could even expand beyond sports, with events able to take advantage of the covered grandstand as well as activations like youth tournaments and viewing parties in support of the FIFA 2026 World Cup that is being partly hosted in Vancouver.
“We’re excited,” added Grosso.
