Groundwork has started once again at the new soccer complex in north Dryden as a fourth soccer field will be added to the park.
The fourth field is just one more step in the process of creating a large soccer complex, complete with full size, smaller and practice fields and hopefully lights and a building in the near future.
With a growing number of both kids and adults becoming involved in the sport, one field at Sandy Beach wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Now, with three full size fields in north Dryden, the need for some practice fields is a must for both the youth league and travel teams.
“The field is 140 m long by 70 m wide with the idea of having the young U11s there; we’ll go across and make some small fields and if we need a full size field, then we have room for a full size field.”
Raposo adds that the field will be used not only for games but for all the practices held at the fields, including the U10, U12 and U14 travel teams that practice all summer long.
Dryden Youth Soccer has been fundraising for the past few years to help with the cost of the new fields and has received Trillium grants to help cover the cost.
The land has been leveled behind the south soccer field and the topsoil and seed are now in place, with hopes that by next summer, the field will be ready to use.
The next step at the complex will hopefully be adding a building to offer protection from the elements as well as storage for the soccer complex.
Raposo adds that with Sioux Lookout as part of the men’s and women’s league as well as shelter whether it’s raining or hot outside, the need for a building is increasing all the time.