Welland Mayor Frank Campion welcomed the news that the Club would remain in its current location over the long term. Pictured: Youngs Sportsplex. Photo Credit: Sport Niagara.
Local sports and recreation enthusiasts are relieved that the Welland Soccer Club will continue to operate at the city’s Youngs Sportsplex. The club has experienced great success in this location and is an integral part of the community. However, its future in its current location came into question during a recent meeting of Welland’s city council, when a staff report completed by Welland Manager of Business and Community Services Amanada Degazio revealed that the licensing agreement between the club and the city had been terminated.
Without a licensing agreement, the Welland Soccer Club would no longer be compelled to work with the OakVille Group, which operates the River Road facility, in order to complete regular logistical and financial operations. Residents, business owners and local government officials quickly began inquiring about the broader implications. However, Welland Soccer Club President Tom Muir has sought to put speculation to rest as quickly as possible.
“The Welland Soccer Club is thankful for the support received from the City of Welland and the management of the Youngs Sportsplex for the last decade,” Muir shared. “We look forward to our new arrangement and believe that this will strengthen the bond between our Club, the community and the world-class facility that we are pleased to call our home.”
Welland Mayor Frank Campion welcomed the news that the Club would remain in its current location over the long term.
“There is a great working relationship between the City of Welland, the Welland Soccer Club, and the facility management company,” Campion said. “The transition that was presented at the Council meeting was the result of positive discussions and a co-operative approach to ensure that the Soccer Club has autonomy in their operation of the Club. Unfortunately, during discussion on this topic at Council, some negative interpretations were brought forward. The Welland Soccer Club acted appropriately and quickly to set the record straight.”
John Chiocchio, Ward 3 Councillor for the City of Welland, was also pleased to hear that the Welland Soccer Club will continue operating out of the Youngsplex location. He also shared his hope that even though the official agreement is no longer in effect, that it will continue to be the “premier soccer club” to make use of the facility, and that it will not find itself “bumped for other groups’ preferences.”
The Niagara Independent reached out to Muir for further comment on the role that the Welland Soccer Club plays in the broader community.
“To me, the soccer club is definitely supported by the community on its own,” Muir reflected. “There are a lot of good people that are involved as players, coaches, referees, and organizers, and we have a very positive outlook for the future. We are also enjoying an increase in our registration and club size, as new families coming to Welland from diverse backgrounds and cultures join our club, and strengthen it.”
When asked what he was most excited about for the club in the coming years, Muir said a couple of things came to mind.
“I am immensely looking forward to continued growth in the club, working to onboard new volunteers with innovative ideas on how to move ahead with new programs; building on the great foundation that was put into place by past members and growing it in our community,” Muir explained. “It is all about working together with and for all of our people!”
Those interested in learning more about the Welland Soccer Club and/or the Youngs Sportsplex are invited to visit the following links: Welland Soccer Club; Youngs Sportsplex.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
