In the Montreal residence of Benjamin Mussuto Molinas, soccer is a deep-rooted passion shared by his family, originating from the same country as renowned soccer stars Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Introduced to the sport at the tender age of four by his parents, Benjamin, now 12, continues to foster his love for soccer on the field with Soccer Verdun, a club situated in the southwest district of Montreal.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the game, Benjamin describes himself as a highly competitive individual. However, his soccer endeavors are hindered by the absence of indoor soccer facilities within the district. Many families residing in Verdun must travel to neighboring areas such as Nuns’ Island, Brossard, and Montréal-Nord for their children to participate in soccer activities beyond the summer season.
According to Colin Danby, the president of the board of Soccer Verdun, the district lacks an indoor artificial turf field or a sports complex. The natural grass fields in Verdun are only usable from late May to early October due to weather conditions. This challenge is not exclusive to Verdun but is faced by soccer clubs across the city.
Robert D’Alesio, the director general of Soccer Lac Saint-Louis, serving the western part of the Montreal island, highlighted the scarcity of indoor pitches as a major obstacle to soccer development in the city. The demand for indoor spaces during fall and winter seasons exceeds availability, leading many clubs to reduce their programs due to the high costs of renting such facilities.
Soccer Verdun incurs significant expenses, approximately $400 per hour, to rent indoor spaces in other districts. The club’s annual budget for indoor facilities approaches six figures, necessitating membership fee hikes to cover these costs. Colin Danby has been advocating for over two years for a sports complex in Verdun with an artificial turf pitch to enable year-round soccer activities in the district.
Paula Molinas, Benjamin’s mother, like many parents in Verdun, faces the challenge of traveling long distances for her son to continue playing soccer outside the summer season. Considering relocating Benjamin to a club in a different district with indoor facilities for reliable year-round play, Paula emphasizes the community aspect of soccer and the importance of providing suitable playing conditions for player development.
Stéphane Suppervielle, a parent coach, echoes the logistical difficulties of traveling outside Verdun for games and practices due to limited indoor grounds that must be shared among multiple teams. His daughter Salomé envisions improved facilities attracting more players and enhancing the club’s financial stability to offer additional resources such as mental health coaches.
Despite the limitations in playing conditions and infrastructure in Verdun, Véronique Desilets, a parent coach for the Verdun Soccer U11 girls team, emphasizes the impact on player development. The lack of full-size fields in Verdun restricts players from practicing real-game scenarios, affecting their competitive edge against clubs with access to varied playing surfaces.
The City of Montreal acknowledges the widespread challenge of limited soccer playing spaces, attributing it to the increasing demand for extended soccer practice throughout the year. While the city provides funding programs for sports and aquatic facilities development, Verdun cites insufficient funds for new indoor or outdoor sports fields, prioritizing the maintenance of existing facilities.
Colin Danby emphasizes the potential long-term benefits of investing in an interior synthetic field or sports complex in Verdun, emphasizing the positive impact on the community and retaining residents in the borough. Despite the challenges, Danby remains optimistic that with the right investments and political support, Verdun can overcome its current limitations and enhance its sports infrastructure for the benefit of its residents.