STATEMENT: No kid should be left on the sidelines.
Jeromy Farkas:
“I grew up on East Calgary’s soccer fields, where everyone was welcome — all you needed was a ball and some open space. That sense of belonging shaped who I am, and it’s something I want to carry with me as your next mayor.
Recently, I met with the Calgary Minor Soccer Association to learn more about the challenges facing grassroots sports organizations in our city. With over 30,000 kids playing soccer each year — and participation up 76% over the last five years — our city is falling behind in providing the field space and facilities to keep up with demand.
Right now, only two indoor soccer fields serve the entire city, and CMSA is already short 5,000 hours of indoor field time — a number projected to hit 8,000 by 2030.
That means:
Shorter games
Fewer teams
Training in unsuitable gyms
Kids being turned away
That’s not good enough.
If we want a stronger, healthier Calgary, we need to plan for it. I’m committed to making youth sport — especially affordable, accessible ones like soccer — a pillar of Calgary’s GamePlan strategy and future infrastructure decisions.
As mayor, I will:
Support a new marquee indoor soccer facility
Calgary’s youth deserve a dedicated space to play, train, and grow. I support CMSA’s vision for a major indoor complex — a hub for sport, wellness, and year-round community programs. It means opportunity for kids, inclusive access, and a stronger local economy.
Expand field space city-wide
Our growing city needs infrastructure to match. I’ll work with sport groups, schools, and City departments to deliver more indoor and outdoor fields through Calgary’s GamePlan strategy — so every community is included.
Welcome families and sport groups to the table
Let’s build smarter. I’ll ensure facility users — coaches, parents, youth, accessibility advocates — are involved early in the process. That means fewer mistakes, better design, and facilities that actually serve Calgarians.
A great city doesn’t leave its kids on the sidelines. Let’s build a Calgary where every child has a fair shot — no matter their neighbourhood.”
