Paradise Council Responds to Paradise Soccer Club Letter

The Paradise Town Council today responded to a recent letter circulated by the Paradise Soccer Club to its membership. Working in partnership, the Town of Paradise and the Paradise Soccer Club have grown the minor sport in our Town and have given our youth a great soccer program. Council is proud of its support for the Club and is disappointed they issued this letter which Council feels conveys misleading information. 

 

The Town appreciated the financial contribution from the Paradise Soccer Club towards the installation of the lighting system at the Dianne Whalen Memorial Soccer Complex and the Town was clear with the Club on the purpose of the funds. While the Club made a $100,000 contribution, it only covered 25 per cent of the full project costs and the Town paid for the remaining 75 per cent contributing over $360,000. The lights have been a great addition to the Dianne Whalen Memorial Soccer Complex and have enabled the Club to expand program offerings and host evening games. 

 

This year, the Town completed a Recreation and Open Space Master Plan which is a blue print for the next ten years for recreation work and decision-making. It outlines action plans for our facilities and parks, and for program development; it recommends strategies for volunteerism and partnerships; and it provides a Facility Development Map for decision-making for facilities. One of the recommendations in the Plan is for an artificial turf. The consultants advise that “consideration should be given for construction of an indoor facility rather than outdoor” and that “a sport-specific facility does not adequately meet the sport and recreation mandate at the town or municipal level but a multi-sport facility is a value add.”

 

Every municipality is faced with balancing the needs and priorities of all residents and user groups, and Paradise is no different. Council fully understands the need for a turf facility to support the growth of our minor sporting programs. However, such a facility would cost millions of dollars to build and funding is required to make that happen. Council must be strategic stewards of the Town’s finances, and it cannot fund a facility in one area of the Town to only have insufficient funds to provide for all the other needs of the Town including basic services and infrastructure investments. The Town has repeatedly applied for funding from the Provincial Government and the Town’s top recreation priority is an artificial turf facility. To date, the Town has not received funding for this area. We would welcome the Paradise Soccer Club working with us to demonstrate the need to the Provincial Government and help us in our funding application. 

 

The Town does not charge the Paradise Soccer Club any rentals for field usage or gym time at the Paradise Double Ice Complex. The Club is also provided an office space free of charge, including use of internet, phone, and office supplies. In addition, the Town coordinates the hiring of four summer students for the Club and contributes to the funding of these positions. Council believes it is important for all residents to be aware of the full range of financial support afforded to the Paradise Soccer Club. 

 

The Paradise Soccer Club is one of several minor sporting programs in our Town and we are proud to support and foster the growth of all our minor sports in Paradise. Council is continually evaluating the needs of all sporting facilities to ensure there is equitable support provided to all. Council will continue to work with the Paradise Soccer Club to enable the Club to offer a fun, competitive and well-run minor soccer program to the youth of Paradise.