Stubborn snow could delay start of outdoor sports season for at least two weeks

This soccer field, like many others in the city, might not play host to the spring soccer season on time this year, as officials expect the snow could delay the spring season by at least two weeks.

By looking at the city’s sports fields, you might not know it – but the spring seasons for many sports are supposed to start in the coming weeks, although they might be delayed.

Edmonton’s soccer season is supposed to start in two weeks, but with snow and soggy brown grass covering them, they are far from ready.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s nothing new for us,” Mike Thomey, Executive Director of the Edmonton District Soccer Association said.

Thomey said snow into April has been a challenge for the organization for the last few years – he said without a quick warm up in the weather, the soccer season won’t start until mid-May, at the earliest.

“It will mean instead of playing once a week, there will be the occasional week where they have to play twice,” Thomey said.

It’s not just the city’s soccer players who could be affected by the snow and mud; it’s also putting the brakes on the spring golf season.

Usually, by this time of year, all of the municipal golf courses are open – that’s not the case this year.

“This is probably one of the longest spring snow covers that we’ve experienced in a long time,” Michael Duerr with the City of Edmonton said. “The crews are working really hard, getting the snow off the greens.”

However, it’s not all bad – Victoria Golf Course is expected to open the driving range Thursday, although it will be a few weeks more before the course is open.

CTV News contacted the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, to see how long it will take to get the city’s sports fields ready, but no one was available for comment.

In the meantime, officials hope the weather will finally start cooperating – allowing teams to hit outdoor fields on time.

With files from Ashley Molnar