Woodbine Entertainment is prepared to designate a portion of its 684-acre land at Woodbine Racetrack for the development of a new high-performance training centre and stadium for women's and men's soccer in the heart of Toronto's Rexdale community, it was announced Wednesday.
In working with private investors and various stakeholders, the soccer project would feature an 8,000-seat soccer specific stadium and a 38,000 square foot training facility with a world-class grass pitch that meets FIFA professional standards. The venue would be a destination for national soccer training, hosting international federations preparing for major international events and potentially be a groundbreaking opportunity for the further development of women's soccer in this country, from grassroots to the highest levels of competition.
“With Canada on the brink of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Women's National Team Olympic Gold Medal win, and Canada co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, the time is certainly right for us to show our support for Canada's growing soccer community,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “We see the power of the game in bringing people together and we cannot think of a more complementary sport as we look to further grow and sustain the horse racing industry and the 25,000 jobs it supports throughout the province.”
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