THUNDER BAY – There will be no men’s or women’s indoor soccer league this winter after Soccer Northwest officials ran out of options for a place to play.
The organization thought they had a location nailed down at a Maureen Street warehouse, but an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board by a competitor group, along with the need for an environmental assessment scuttled those plans.
With the Sports Dome collapsed and out of business, options were few and far between.
“During the process our leagues followed the city’s lead and only proceeded when we were informed we could do so. We have also attempted many other options with nothing being plausible now due to time restraints and availability,” said Soccer Northwest director of senior soccer Mike Veneziale.
“Any facility that may work would most likely need a zoning change and would give the company another opportunity to file an appeal and put us in the same position. Making matters worse the times available to us last year at (Lakehead) are not available this year,” Veneziale wrote on the group’s Facebook page.
Soccer Northwest was left with no choice but to cancel the men’s and women’s league season, with the Thunder Bay Chill forced to find space in local high school gymnasiums to meet their needs.
Soccer Northwest says they will refund everyone’s money, but it will probably take a week or so to process.
“I want to thank everyone for their help during this process and apologize for not being able to make something work. I look forward to getting outdoor started as early as possible this year to see all of you out on the field again,” Veneziale said.
