Year-round sports field to pop up at Sudbury school

A multi-purpose sports complex is coming to Sudbury.

The catholic school board has reached a deal with a Toronto company to build a domed sports field at St. Charles College.

It still needs the thumbs-up from board trustees before construction can begin.

Barry MacDonald, the chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, said the school board would get a share of the profits.

"The dome is going to be operated by the Farley Group," he said. "We have a co-venture agreement, where the school board gets to use it during the school day, and they will rent the facility on the evenings and weekends to the public."

He added the only construction costs the school board will cover are the bill for hooking up utilities.

The year-round recreation centre will host everything from soccer to lawn bowling.

"It's not only good for St. Charles, it's good for the whole community," MacDonald said.

The deal was brokered by city councillor Fabio Belli who, previously, petitioned the city to build a bubble for indoor sports.

But he said the partnership between the school board and the developer is a better way to go.

"It's a win-win situation when you really look at it," Belli said. "[Its] an opportunity to have this facility at zero cost to the taxpayers."

Once the idea passes a vote of the catholic board, construction is expected to begin this spring, so the dome can open in October.