Dorval invites Pointe Claire teams to synthetic pitch grand opening

As Dorval is set to inaugurate its new synthetic soccer field, Pointe Claire has taken a step back in installing one at Terra Cotta Park.

Pointe Claire city council rejected tenders for its fake grass project last week for two financial reasons, said Mayor Bill McMurchie. The lowest conforming bid came in over what the city had estimated and the city’s pitch for a provincial grant had not been approved yet.

“According to the rules (for the grant), if you start a project (before approval), you’re on your own,” McMurchie said. “We’re still being reviewed, it was not rejected.”

The city will go back to tender once the grant is approved. Pointe Claire had received a $7.5 million provincial grant from the same program for its aquatic centre expansion and renovation project which started recently.

Pointe Claire has about 2,600 players registered in youth soccer and the new synthetic field is expected to help open up hours since it can absorb more pounding and requires less maintenance than a natural grass pitch.

“Our fields are used very intensively and grass doesn’t stand up to that much activity,” McMurchie said, adding he has hopes the project could start this fall.

Meanwhile, the official opening of Dorval’s new synthetic soccer field, situated behind the Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre, will be held Saturday starting at 9 a.m. To mark the opening, the Dorval Soccer Association is hosting the Dorval Mayor's Exhibition Invitational Friendly, which will showcase 13 inter-city level teams from Dorval and neighbouring Pointe Claire in some pre-season exhibition games.

The Dorval Soccer Association has set a goal to raise $2,500 for a local youth group during the tourney. To conclude the day, a team made up of City of Dorval employees will battle it out with a team represented by the Dorval Soccer Association.