By Pam Fedack
Altona’s soccer community is preparing to celebrate a major milestone. After years of planning, discussion, and steady growth in the game’s popularity, the Town of Altona and Altona Soccer have finalized an agreement to transform six acres of green space behind the Millennium Exhibition Centre into a dedicated soccer park.
The new facility reflects the surging demand for soccer in the region and the partnerships that have made the program thrive—from local schools to the town’s recreation office and now, municipal leadership.
Soccer in Altona has grown rapidly since the program’s launch in 2017. That first year saw modest numbers, but steady growth of about 10 per cent annually soon followed, culminating in a recent 20 per cent spike in registration. Today, more than 250 players are active across a range of programs—from Timbits for ages three to seven, to spring leagues for youth, to drop-in adult and newcomer soccer.
The growth has pushed existing facilities to their limits. Up to now, nearly all programming has relied on fields at local schools through the Borderland School Division, with the town’s recreation department helping coordinate access.
“We’ve been very fortunate to use school properties for all of our programming,” said Karl Enns, chair of Altona Soccer. “The schools and the recreation office have been great partners, but we reached the point where the space was maxed out and fields were being worn down from overuse. That’s when we knew we had to find another solution.”
Enns said collaboration has always been at the heart of Altona Soccer. The program was first built by volunteers who connected the town to the Pembina Valley Youth Soccer League, which includes Morden, Winkler, and Carman. Local schools and the town stepped in to provide space and access.
That spirit of partnership continues with the new project. The Town of Altona has committed six acres of recreational land beside the arena and ball diamonds—property already serviced by surrounding infrastructure.
“It’s the perfect location,” Enns said. “It’s close to the arena and the ball diamonds, and we can build on existing infrastructure instead of starting from scratch.”
“We’re excited to take this next step with Altona Soccer and officially set the stage for a dedicated soccer park in our community,” said Mayor Harv Schroeder. “Altona has a proud history of passionate volunteer groups who step up, work hard, and create facilities that serve our community for generations, like our ball diamonds. Now it’s soccer’s turn. Signing this agreement is an important milestone, but it’s really just the beginning.”
The new soccer park will feature two full-size pitches and additional green space that can be reconfigured for smaller-sided games or tournament play. Proper drainage and in-ground irrigation are being built in from the ground up to ensure the fields can handle heavy use.
Designs also include trees, landscaping, and walking paths that will tie the facility into Altona’s existing active transportation network. The goal is to create a multi-purpose space that will serve athletes and residents alike.
“We want these fields to stand out in southern Manitoba,” Enns said. “Just like people talk about our ball diamonds and arena, we want them to talk about our soccer park.”
Local contractors and landscapers are already involved in design and planning.
“We’re working with people right here in Altona who know how to build these fields properly,” Enns added. “That expertise will help ensure a high-quality facility from day one.”
The project comes with a price tag of about $750,000, split into two phases. The first will focus on the new soccer park. The second will refresh existing fields around town—including school-based pitches—to ensure quality and consistency across the community.
Ground preparation could begin later this year, with major landscaping completed in 2026 and a target grand opening in spring or summer 2027.
Fundraising will officially launch in the coming weeks. Enns said the effort will include community events, business sponsorships, and applications for provincial and federal grants. Sponsorship opportunities, including naming rights, will be offered to local businesses.
“We know southern Manitoba rallies around projects like this,” he said. “Our baseball diamonds and arena were built through community effort, and now soccer is benefiting from that same spirit of partnership.”
More than just a game
For Enns, who grew up in Brazil, the project carries personal weight. His own children play soccer, and he’s seen firsthand how the game connects people across cultures.
“Soccer has become a bridge for newcomers to feel at home in Altona,” he said. “It breaks down language barriers, it’s affordable, and it’s something people are passionate about around the world.”
That accessibility has been a cornerstone of Altona Soccer’s approach. Registration fees are kept low, and programs like Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart and Sport Manitoba help cover costs for families in need. Enns said community members have even stepped in privately to make sure no child is turned away.
“The low cost of entry—just cleats and shin guards—makes soccer accessible,” Enns said. “And we’ve had people in the community say, ‘If someone wants to play but can’t afford it, I’ll cover it.’ That shows the kind of community Altona is.”
“The vision for this complex is ambitious, and it will take commitment, creativity, and fundraising to make it a reality,” Schroeder said. “Knowing the drive and dedication of Altona Soccer and the support of our community, I’m confident that together we can bring this project to life and build a place where our community can gather, play, and grow.”
From its grassroots beginnings on borrowed school pitches to a fully dedicated soccer park, the project underscores what happens when local volunteers, schools, businesses, and the town itself pull together.
If all goes as planned, by 2027, Altona’s players—from preschoolers to adults—will be stepping onto some of the finest soccer fields in southern Manitoba.
For updates or to support the project, visit www.altonasoccer.ca.
