As we kick off a new year here in Kingston, the City has been approached with an interesting proposal for one of the oldest and most prominent recreation sites in the community. The potential project is a new soccer stadium that would be constructed here on the northeast corner of the Memorial Centre property. This soccer stadium would be the home of a new professional soccer club as part of the Canadian Premier League, but the facility would also be able to host other semi-professional teams and be available for use by community groups and local sports organizations. The facility would be domed during the winter months to allow for year-round use and all costs to construct and operate the stadium would be borne by the private sector proponent.
The proposal envisions a long-term lease for this section of greenspace on the Memorial Centre property. The project would not impact the Culligan Water Park, the Memorial Wall, or the plans to eventually renovate and expand the arena building to allow for two ice-pads and community space for an indoor farmers’ market. However, the project would reduce the existing greenspace, involve the relocation of the dog park, and require the removal of the barns on the southwest corner of the property to allow for expanded parking facilities. This in turn would mean working with the organizers of the Kingston Fall Fair to develop alternative arrangements for the annual fair as well as developing a plan for the farmers’ market during the winter months. City Council will be discussing this proposal at our meeting next Tuesday, so in advance of that, I’d like to know what you think. Would you support a new soccer stadium at the Memorial Centre? If so, under what conditions? I’d like to hear from as many Kingstonians as possible, so please let me know what you think!
Video: A Proposal for a New Soccer Stadium at the Memorial Centre
Note: this was originally shared over social media (Facebook and Instagram) on January 6, 2025.