What a kick

SACKVILLE
By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
As Sackville Sports Stadium staff roll up their indoor turf for the season, the stadium's general manager is reflecting on the indoor facility's growing success.
Three years ago, the stadium's general manager Michael Bird found and purchased high quality astro turf from Wisconsin with the intention of using it when the stadium's curling facility was empty. Although it was mildly used by a professional indoor soccer team from Milwaukee, Bird said the turf is top quality and has been a huge asset to the sports stadium.
"It's used by soccer, lacrosse, baseball and others. We're multi-use. Many members of the community even use it for birthday parties," Bird said.
"It has worked out very well."
From early April, when the turf was first set down, until it was rolled up last week, the facility was in high demand. With a lack of available indoor turf facilities in HRM, many sporting organizations have embraced the space. It can make a significant difference to training and play schedules, which are often disrupted when unpredictable weather wreaks havoc with field conditions.
Sackville United Soccer Association vice-president Scott Martin said the indoor turf facility has had a big impact on their program delivery, particularly their under-10 competitive program. That entire program took place at the stadium, while much of the training for older players and a coaches program were also held there.
In addition, the soccer club was able to host their second annual Bruce Wagner Memorial tournament without weather interruptions from Aug. 14 to 16. Martin said that tournament brought 60 soccer teams to Lower Sackville.
"The biggest asset to us was that we didn't have to cancel anything for our under-10 academic program because it was all inside and weather didn't play a factor," Martin said. "With getting games rescheduled, HRM is fabulous for getting it done, but it still throws a wrench into things ... We didn't have to worry about a game being lost because of that facility."
Martin, whose son Max also used the facility for lacrosse training this year, said he's surprised that many people still don't know the turf is there. He said they'll definitely be using the indoor facility for soccer again next year.
"It has kept things local, right here, instead of having people travel all over the place," he said. "Also, some parents will say they like their kids in fresh air playing outdoors, but on those hot days when they walk outside and are hit by the heat, they're glad for the climate control."
Tri-County Minor Baseball has also used the indoor turf for rep team tryouts the last two years. The organization has found the facility invaluable. Ken Lenihan, a member of Tri-County's Bedford executive, said the mainland common indoor turf field and the exhibition park turf laid down in the winter are almost the exclusive domains of soccer organizations.
Having access to an indoor turf facility that caters to them has been a huge asset to the baseball program, he said.
"Especially with our weather the way it usually is in May, it's usually still cool and wet and we're struggling to make our rep teams," Lenihan said.
"Without the indoor facility, we wouldn't have this opportunity and would be at the mercy of the weather in May. We've found this indoor facility a tremendous asset, and I actually see us always using it in terms of getting a head start."
An HRM report presented to regional council in May outlined the need for more indoor turf facilities, noting that "current demand for indoor field facilities for soccer and other field sports exceeds what is currently provided in the municipality."
The ability to help fulfill that need has served the Sackville Sports Stadium well, said- Bird.
"The use is growing. As the word is spreading, a lot of people are saying 'Gee, I didn't know you had this,'" Bird said. "Many sporting groups know, but we would like the community to know this is in their backyard."
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca