South Dundas United is presently fundraising to replace the soccer goals on municipally-owned South Dundas Soccer Fields, known as Fields C, D, and E.
The project began in earnest in 2018, but was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restarted in 2022, the initial plan was to replace one set of goals each year, over three years.
In October 2022, we received our first large donation thanks to the generosity of the 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas organization. That inspired an anonymous donor, whose donation meant we reached our goal for replacing the goals on Field D in 2023. This was installed in May 2023.
Since then, we have received support from the municipality’s Parks and Recreation department, and from a number of service clubs and organizations. Through this, and money we have already fundraised, a second set of goals – for Field C – was purchased along with Field D’s and installed in May 2023.
We are now committed to completing the project by 2025 at the latest, and seek donations to enable us to replace the goals on Field E.
The project has increased as inflation has seen material costs skyrocket. Each set of goals cost approximately $12,000 (2024 quote) once taxes and shipping are paid. It’s a lot of money, but we are committed to ensuring that the soccer program has quality equipment for the entire community to use.
The SDS Fields are used by South Dundas United and maintained by the club volunteers. Grass cutting is provided by the Municipality, while the club provides the lining and general turf repairs. Everyone uses the fields. Students from Seaway District High School and Iroquois Public School practice or play games. Our old and slow adult program play on these fields, as do our competitive teams. Residents use the fields for a family game, or a friendly pick-up game. And visitors to South Dundas stop to picnic and play a game with their family, or with new friends they make in the community.
If you are interested in supporting this project, and would like more information about donating, please contact club president Phillip Blancher at 613-543-4020 or by email at president@southdundasunited.ca .
Project Donors
- 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas – $4,494*
- Anonymous Angel Donation – $5,000
- Morrisburg and District Lions Club – $2,000
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 370 Iroquois – $1,000
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 370 Iroquois Ladies Auxiliary – $1,000
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 48 Morrisburg – $500
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 48 Morrisburg Ladies Auxiliary – $500
- Anonymous Angel Donation – $1,000
- South Dundas United – Score One for the Community Challenge 2024 – $1,070
*100 Women Who Care About South Dundas donated $6,550 which was to be split between the indoor equipment purchase for beginning our indoor soccer program at Morrisburg Public, and the soccer goal replacement project. The donation listed for the soccer goal replacement project is the balance of the group’s donation.
Project Contribution
- Municipality of South Dundas Parks and Recreation Department (2023 Budget) – $5,000
Total to date (July 20, 2024)
- Donations – $16,564
- Municipal – $5,000
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Total – $21,564
We still have $10,000 to go for the third and final pair of soccer goals. Donate today by contacting info@southdundasunited.ca or call 613-543-4020.
What’s after this project?
South Dundas United has two other capital projects it will be working on after the soccer goal replacement project is complete.
The largest field on municipal property (Field D) is too narrow and has two areas with elevation issues (one corner dips, the opposite corner raises). In order to properly orient the field and maintain a regulation size for U18/Adult competition, the field area needs to be increased. This capital project will require adding to the field area size (pending necessary municipal approvals) to allow for a better field orientation and slightly increased pitch size.
Equipment is compact, but much of the soccer equipment for the municipal fields are moved in and out each week from our main storage building. South Dundas United would like to install a semi-permanent shed building between Fields C and D to store equipment to facilitate more weekday evening use of the soccer pitches. This capital project will require the installation of a prefabricated shed (Amish-style shed) for equipment storage (pending necessary municipal approvals).
All funds raised in excess of our soccer goal replacement project needs will be dedicated to these next two capital projects.