Canada to Fund Soccer National Training Centre

OTTAWA - The Canadian federal government plans to announce significant funding Wednesday for the planning, design and preconstruction of a national training centre for Canada Soccer, according to a government source.

The announcement, scheduled for a news conference in Vancouver, will feature Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden and Canada Soccer president Peter Augruso. The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the event, did not disclose the exact funding amount.

This initiative draws from a broader commitment outlined in the government's spring economic update this week, which allocates $660 million over the next five years to national sport organizations struggling with persistent deficits. The specific funding for the training centre will come from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada through the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The proposed facility aims to serve dual purposes: as a high-performance hub for elite athletes and as a community centre open to the public. A location has not yet been selected. In December, Canada Soccer issued a call for expressions of interest from municipalities,...