“Let us play” that was the chant from roughly 100 supporters from various user groups who rallied out front of City Hall Monday evening in support of the construction of an indoor turf facility.

Its been almost eight years since residents have had a quality facility to play soccer or other turf based sports during the winter months, and as a result Michael Veneziale says its been detrimental for those who have grown up without a proper facility.

“When we started this process my son wasn’t born yet, he was at the deputation today…he’s eight. It has already gone way too long.”

In his deputation to council Veneziale, representing Soccer Northwest, laid out the idea to construct a facility near the Canada Games Complex and the Community Auditorium. Far away from an original proposal at Chapple’s Park that would have to be built effectively on swamp.

Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff says there is no more time to doddle on the subject. He and the other 12 members of council voted in favour of not only having city staff compile a new report, but to do so by March 13th.

“We know that the community wants this project, and its very vital that we keep moving on it now that we have something that is cost effective, so that is really…lets get this thing going.”

As expected Veneziale was very happy with the results of the vote, however he did call it “gutting” in regards to one fact, delivered by Community Services General Manager Kelly Robertson, who notes based off of construction times and assessments 2025 would be the earliest an indoor turf facility could be operational.

“Anytime that we can save is obviously beneficial, now I believe they will do it in short order and as quick as they possibly can. But every time there is another season lost, its another year for another generation. We talked about it with some of the other deputations that were up there, we’re losing our youth and we need to do what we can to keep them here.”