Oshawa university looking at Civic for November soccer championships in case of ‘inclement weather’

Planning any major outdoor event in November requires a contingency plan, and that includes the U Sports Men’s Soccer National Championship at Ontario Tech University this November.

Just in case the gales of November come early come and winter drops in unannounced, the school has asked for use of the Civic Recreation Complex’s Indoor Fieldhouse “during periods of extreme inclement weather” during the tournament, which will be held November 7-10 at Vaso’s Field, a FIFA-approved artificial infill turf outdoor soccer facility in Oshawa’s north end.

Vaso’s Field, Ontario Tech University

With the City of Oshawa, celebrating its centennial this year, being a “proud partner” throughout the bid process, Ontario Tech is hopeful the City can waive the usual fees if matches have to be moved to the Civic.

City staff and tournament organizers agree that it would be “unlikely” extreme inclement weather would require the entire event be relocated to the Civic and estimated that hosting the four-day championship event at the west end recreation complex would cost a maximum of $22,920, based on facility user fees, rental permits and recreation drop-in programs that may be displaced.

Staff also noted more than 170 hotel rooms have already been reserved for the event and the spin-off revenue (as well as taxes collected from the hotels) would help off-set any facility revenue losses.

The motion was on the floor of Monday’s Corporate & Financial Services Committee meeting.

Oshawa Civic Recreation Centre Fieldhouse