Ottawa spends more than $270K on upgrades to Halifax-area soccer facility

The BMO Soccer Centre in Halifax is seen. (Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic)

The federal government announced more than a quarter of a million in spending with the goal of supporting women’s professional soccer in Atlantic Canada.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Lena Metlege Diab, announced the $277,100 in spending for Soccer Nova Scotia on Saturday.

She said the money would go towards upgrades to the BMO Soccer Centre in Halifax which would be a year-round training environment for the Halifax Tides FC. The facility will get upgraded locker rooms, treatment areas, staff offices and training equipment.

“This investment strengthens the facilities and resources needed for top-tier athletes like the Halifax Tides Women’s FC to train and compete at the highest level. At the same time, it creates an updated space for everyone who uses it – from local families and community members to athletes from across Nova Scotia,” said Diab.

The spending is part of the federal government’s previous commitment of up to $5.45 million to upgrade Northern Super League-related facilities.

“The upgrades to the BMO Soccer Centre will support Halifax Tides FC at the professional level, while continuing to serve thousands of players, coaches, and families year-round. It’s a great example of bringing community and high performance together, with more young people – especially girls – seeing what’s possible in our game,” said Soccer Nova Scotia executive director, Lindsay MacAskill.

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