By doing that, they will get priority rights to book the facility. The three organizations comprising the Dome Facilities Association each contributed $600,000 to the project. “As well, from a technical and tactical standpoint, the continuity between those seasons will certainly enhance our player development. It means modernization of the game here, a shift away from the traditional boarded soccer-playing environment, to a full-size field with a quality turf that is more conducive to the playing experience,” said Bruneau. “It's a massive step forward for the soccer community here to develop a year-round quality facility like that. The $8.5 million project is funded through Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Program, the City of Calgary, and the Dome Facilities Association members, which include the Calgary Minor Soccer Association, The Calgary Blizzards and the Greater Calgary Amateur Football AssociationĬarlo Bruneau, executive director of the Calgary Minor Soccer Association, says having a full field to play on through the winter will do more than just offer a new venue for games. It is an air-supported structure with no interior columns, so without any supporting structure, the dome can be deflated and removed seasonally. It’s the largest inflatable dome covering an athletic field in Calgary. What he discovered is the Shouldice Seasonal Dome. “I came last week and it wasn’t there and I thought, ‘what is this?’” Wednesday, he was shocked to discover that a gigantic inflatable structure, covering an entire football field, had appeared, as if out of nowhere. Javier Baroja rides his bike regularly on the path through Shouldice park in northwest Calgary.