Local soccer organizations frustrated with May 1 opening for Kingsville soccer fields

A stock photo shows a soccer ball on a field. (Shutterstock)

The Town of Kingsville is set to open soccer fields on May 1, but soccer associations are disappointed because this will delay their season.

“What hurts us the most working with the town, we’ve had a great relationship. It’s really just better communication we hope for in future years,” said Michael Chabot, Kingsville Soccer Association treasurer.

“We’ve been expressing our start date for months now with the town, even as recent as April 9. Like I mentioned, at no point was there any mention that fields would be closed until May 1.”

The Kingsville and Cottam Soccer Associations both issued notices on the weekend that all games and practices would be suspended until May 1.

Kingsville issued a statement, emphasizing that field rentals will begin next month, but staff hope to open them earlier if the conditions allow it.

Chabot said this will push their soccer season back by two weeks.

Here’s the full statement posted to Facebook by Kingsville:

We understand there’s been concern and questions about our soccer fields remaining closed, and we want to provide some clarity.

Field rentals begin in May. While we always aim to open earlier in April when weather allows, this year’s heavy rainfall has left fields too wet for both play and maintenance. Using the fields or having staff go onto the fields in these conditions can cause significant damage, leading to poor playing surfaces later in the season.

We know how eager players, coaches, and families are to get back on the field, we feel the same way. Our team is monitoring conditions closely and will open fields as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Thank you for your patience and for helping us protect our fields for the season ahead.

- With files from CTV Windsor’s Ricardo Veneza.