'Big trouble' ahead as muddy fields bog down Edmonton sports clubs

If the snow, sleet andrain don't ease up in Edmonton, the city's outdoor sports season could be dead in the water.

The city this week announced that all its natural grass sports fields would betoff limitsuntil May 12 due to slippery and unsafe conditions.

Staffed artificial turf fields are still open atMillwoods,Clareviewand Jasper Place.

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"The cold, wet weather has taken its toll on our sports fields," reads a statement on the city'swebsite. "Please stay off the fields while we complete maintenance to prepare them for the season."

The ban, in turn, is taking a toll on local outdoor sports teams.

Edmonton's minor soccer association (EMSA) was set to launch its eight-week season on May 1. Field schedules were finalized hours before the city announced its ban, said EMSA president Mario Charpentier.

"If we get delayed one week, we can survive," he said. "But if not, we will be in big trouble."

EMSAcoordinates games for 1,500 teams in Edmonton. Missing 25 per cent of the season would mean cancelling or rescheduling more than 3,000 games.

"Hopefully they open in aweek from now and we'll be able to catch up," Charpentier said. "It doesn't solve the problem but at least it will be half of the problem."

Charpentier met with his board of directors Wednesday to brainstorm solutions.

Making up for lost time by playing four games during theweekisn't feasible, he said. On weekends, most of Edmonton'sfields are already booked for tournaments.

"We're going to wait and see what happens and hopefully the weather gets better and the city can open the fields," he said.

"But it doesn't look like it's going to get too much better," he added, grimacing at a snowflake as it swirled past his face.

Temperatures are expected to rise after the weekend, though next week's balmier forecast is still overshadowed by rain clouds.