TAMRMS#: B06
12.1
title
Soccer Facility Project
Notice given by: Councillor Joly
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PROPOSED MOTION(S):
recommendation
That Administration work with the St. Albert Soccer Association to better define and cost the soccer facility project in Riel, to include the long term capital implications from a City perspective, and return to Council by the end of Q4, 2025 with an update and recommendation if possible.
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ADMINISTRATION’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENT OF THE MOTION
Administration will return to Council by the end of Q4 2025 with a report and recommendations related to the St. Albert Soccer Association (SASA) proposal as presented on June 17, 2025.
Given the timelines, Administration would seek to receive further detail and/or clarification from SASA related to its operating business case and capital plan by mid-September, 2025, for inclusion and analysis to be represented in the administrative report.
The administrative review and recommendation would focus on SASA’s business case and capital plan as well as alignment to Council and corporate priorities; impacts to municipal operations and budgeting; social/community value of the project; and legal, financial, or other risks associated with the project. The review would not have any financial impacts to the City and could be completed through a reallocation of staff time.
ADMINISTRATION’S RECOMMENDATION
That Council amend CM-25-012 to state the following:
That the St. Albert Soccer Association’s request, as outlined in their June 17, 2025, Council presentation, be considered by Council within 90 days after SASA, at its own expense, has provided the City with:
1. An independent finance review, based on criteria mutually established by SASA and the City, of:
i. an operating business case, and
ii. a capital plan, including costing based on current environmental and geotechnical studies and municipal building standards and policies, and confirmation of project sighting; and
2. Statements of support from adjacent and other Riel Recreation Park tenants.
See Alternative 1 for further information.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present a motion for which Councillor Joly gave notice on June 17, 2025.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
SASA is a community sport partner. They have the largest membership of all sport partner groups in St. Albert and hold a nominal land lease with the City for a clubhouse and fields in Riel Recreation Park.
SASA has been working with the City since 2008 to explore various opportunities for facility expansion and enhancement (e.g., Mistatim Lands complex, doming Larry Olexiuk Field, Community Amenities Site, 7v7 training facility).
In 2023, stemming from decision on the Community Amenities Site, Council directed Administration (CM-23-50) to continue work towards identifying a suitable site and potential partnerships for a future indoor non-boarded artificial turf facility.
Both SASA and Administration agree that the presented project falls outside the scope of CM-23-50.
June 17, 2025 Project Request
SASA is seeking City funding for capital improvements within its lease boundary. The improvements include:
1. constructing an indoor training facility, and
2. converting an existing natural turf field to artificial turf.
SASA has costed the work at $7M and is asking the City to finance the entire cost, with the intention of repaying all but $1.5M.
Project Considerations
SASA’s request has come at the project initiation phase of the Community Capital Development Process. The process provides a gated approach to capital development on City lands that helps community organizations and the City identify and manage project risks.
Riel Recreation Park is built over a landfill. There are several known environmental issues with capital development on the site, all of which have escalating cost impacts compared to comparable projects on typical lands.
SASA’s funding request exceeds the scope of the Community Capital Program Grant. In the past, Council has opted to address these kinds of funding requests through a Council Motion, which provides scope for Administration to work with the requesting organization before Council considers funding the initiative.
In the June 17, 2025 presentation, SASA outlined several operating and capital assumptions that should be verified including project siting, capital costs, the supporting business case, terms of repayment, impact on City facilities and budgeting, usage by community and school groups, and consideration of development permitting requirements.
Any capital projects financed through municipal debt must result in an asset that is owned by the City. Any asset owned by the City is subject to municipal building standards and policies.
Community Capital Development Process
Administration has developed a Community Capital Development Process which guides community groups in working with the City to advance their capital interests.
This process provides a gated approach to working with community groups to clarify the opportunities and risks to the community group and the City in advancing their capital projects.
This process is reflected in Administration’s recommendation.
IMPACTS OF MOTION
Financial:
N/A
Compliance & Legal:
N/A
Program or Service:
N/A
Organizational:
Cross-departmental staff hours would be dedicated to establishing criteria for review and providing a recommendation to Council on SASA’s request.
Risks:
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Item aligned to Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
A.1.3 Management of Facilities and Amenity Partnerships Access to Amenities
ALTERNATIVES
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, Administration presents the following alternative for Council’s consideration.
Alternative 1: That the St. Albert Soccer Association’s request, as outlined in their June 17, 2025, Council presentation, be considered by Council within 90 days after SASA, at its own expense, has provided the City with:
1. An independent finance review, based on criteria mutually established by SASA and the City, of:
i. an operating business case, and
ii. a capital plan, including costing based on current environmental and geotechnical studies and municipal building standards and policies, and confirmation of project sighting; and
2. Statements of support from adjacent and other Riel Recreation Park tenants.
Alternative 1 mirrors Council direction on similar community group requests and aligns with the intent of the Council Motion and the Community Capital Development Process.
Within 90 days of receipt of SASA’s submission, Administration will review the submission for alignment to Council and corporate priorities; impacts to municipal operations and budgeting; social/community value of the project; and legal, financial, or other risks associated with the project and provide a recommendation to Council.
Alternative 1 provides increased clarity regarding the scope of the work to be completed by SASA and the City as well as the roles and responsibilities of each party. It also allows SASA to advance work on a timeline that respects its organizational ambitions and capacity.
Financial:
N/A
Compliance & Legal:
N/A
Program or Service:
N/A
Organizational:
Cross-departmental staff hours would be dedicated to establishing criteria for review and providing a recommendation to Council on SASA’s request.
Risks:
N/A
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Report Date: July 15, 2025
Author: Parks & Community Partnerships
Department: Recreation & Parks
Department Director: Daniele Podlubny
Managing Director: Dinu Alex
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher