Ab SchIn a city where eight months of snowfall is not uncommon, some athletes can’t wait for the weather.
In late 2016, the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation plans to install an air-supported dome over Foote Field on a $3 million budget. The project, which has been three years in the making, will allow university and community athletes alike to enjoy South Campus’ amenities year-round.
For Kerry Mummery, the dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, the motivation behind the installation of the dome is nothing new, as many of the venues run by the faculty on South Campus — including Foote Field’s neighbor, the Saville Community Sports Centre — were created to help foster community development.
“I think the motivation behind any of our projects is to provide much-needed facilities for use for both the campus and community populations,” Mummery said. “That’s a big aspect of what the University of Alberta has always done.”
At the moment, the U of A’s soccer, rugby and football teams divide their time between the Butterdome and Commonwealth Stadium during the winter months. The only indoor venue in Edmonton comparable to Foote Field is the Edmonton Eskimo’s indoor turf field, which is not full-sized.
“There are a number of turf-based sports that, because of the Canadian climate, don’t have many opportunities to practice on a turf field in the off-season,” Mummery said. “The concept of the dome really came about with the long-term need in mind.”
The installation of the dome will be partially paid for through corporate donations and grants, and Mummery said the faculty has been careful to develop a comprehensive “business model” that will allow the facility to sustain itself through the generation of revenue.
Though the initiative has been well-received at the U of A, several homeowners around South Campus have voiced their disapproval in the Edmonton Journal. The Saville Centre — which hosts about 1.4 million visitors each year — has struggled with parking since its inception in 2003, and in their eyes, the installation of the dome may compound an existing problem that sees cars lining quiet residential streets.
According to Mummery, South Campus’ parking issues go beyond his faculty and the U of A.
“There are a number of things we need to do to fix the parking problem, but most of the parking challenges are relating to competitions held (at the Saville Centre),” he said. “The dome itself won’t be a competitive venue in the same manner.”
For Chris Morris, the head coach of the Golden Bears football team, the venue itself may not host more competitions, but it will give U of A athletes an edge by providing teams with a world-class facility.
“It’s huge. There’s a bunch of football-specific training we can do on that surface that will make a world of difference for our program,” Morris said.
“That dome puts us right on top of any football program in the country as far as facilities at their disposal. With that dome being added to what we have already, we’re at the very top of the list.”
