Nov 05, 2008 - 02:36 PM

By Al Rivett

PICKERING -- Plenty of players, parents and dignitaries gathered under blue skies to welcome in a new era of soccer in the city.

The Pickering Soccer Club unveiled its new artificial turf soccer pitch at Kinsmen Park on Saturday to much fanfare, with officials from the municipal and provincial governments on hand for the special occasion.

The project, recently completed after construction started on the field in August, was a joint effort of the PSC, its sponsors, the City of Pickering, along with the Provincial government, in the form of a $136,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Among the invited guests in attendance were Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan, City councillors Doug Dickerson, Bill McLean and Rick Johnson, Pickering-Scarborough East MPP Wayne Arthurs, Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson and John Stafford from the Trillium foundation.

The new field, explained PSC president Carl Pearce, will keep the club's 4,500 players on the field longer with the ability to begin its programs earlier in the spring and later in the fall. Moreover, the artificial pitch will enable the club to host more high-profile events during the course of the season. More Ontario Cup games, along with host games in the Robbie International Soccer Tournament each July are possibilities.

"It's great to have a new field and to open it today. We hope to be using it real soon," Pearce told the large crowd at the unveiling.

PSC head coach Tony La Ferrara noted the project began to take shape about a year-and-a-half ago after discussions with the City of Pickering. Although the club was pushing for an indoor soccer dome, the City noted that type of project was not something it could envision for the near future. The compromise reached was an artificial turf field.

"It was something we needed right now, and the City said, 'let's talk about it'. A year-and-a-half later and we're here; it's ready to go," explained La Ferrara.

And, following the ceremonial kick by Mayor Ryan, the field was turned over to the large contingent of players eager to try it out and see how it performed.

The reviews were extremely positive.

"I think the field is really nice," said Ashley Nater, 13, who played at the U14 level this past season. "I'm happy they made it a turf field for us. It's something close to home."

Edwina Stancovici, 14, who played with the PSC Pickering Pythons U14s last season, was also impressed.

"I think it's good that they made this field. Now Pickering has something to be proud of."

Edwina's Pickering Python teammate Meena Sharif, 14, also gave it her seal of approval.

"I think the field is awesome. It will be weather resistant; it's better. Any weather and you can play on it."

Mairi Hart, a manager with the PSC Pickering Tigers boys' under-14 team, says the field is a big step forward for the club.

"Our team and the whole of the PSC as a whole have waited a long time for new facilities in Pickering and we're thrilled," said Hart. "For us, it will extend our season and it will improve the status of the club, the city and the soccer community."