A joint venture between Arrondissement de Ville-Marie and the Montreal Impact, a new soccer mini-pitch bearing the Bleu-blanc-noir colours was officially opened this Friday at the corner of Saint-Alexandre Street and Saint-Edward Street.
MLS Works, Canada Soccer, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and adidas have partnered to create this mini-pitch, the last of 20 to be built in various neighbourhoods across North America.
"My interest for sports is well-known," said Mr. Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal. "It is essential that we make quality facilities available for young Montrealers to take part in their favourite activities and sports. I am delighted with this partnership between Arrondissement de Ville-Marie and the Impact, which provides this new public environment in line with Montreal's Policy on sport and physical activity."
"As a professional club, we have always said that our involvement off the field is just as important as our success on the field, especially when it comes to supporting children," said Mr. Joey Saputo, Montreal Impact President. "The opening of this new mini-pitch in the heart of Montreal is another step in this direction."
Each mini-pitch will offer children in these neighbourhoods a safe place to play, while providing a soccer environment that encourages unstructured play with local communities supporting the continued growth of the game in North America.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush, defender Kyle Fisher and forwards Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Michael Salazar represented the Impact first team at the event, where Impact U13 players played the mini-pitch's very first game.
