A major soccer complex in Winnipeg is receiving funding to support some significant upgrades. The Manitoba government announced Friday it is investing $750,000 to help with upgrades to the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex. The money will go toward replacing the outdoor pitch and the lighting system, two steps to help modernize the facility. “The Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex is an important hub for soccer in Manitoba, and these upgrades will help ensure the facility can continue serving athletes, families and fans for years to come while attracting events and visitors to our province,” said Sports, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy. Hector Vergara, the executive director of the Manitoba Soccer Association, said this is an important investment for amateur soccer in Winnipeg and he hopes it opens more opportunities in the future. “This is the home of amateur soccer in the province, and obviously, we are going to try and make it hopefully the home of professional soccer as well,” said Vergara. It was announced last week that former Canadian women’s soccer star and Winnipegger, Desiree Scott, is bringing a women’s professional soccer team to Winnipeg. The team would join the Northern Super League and work is underway to get them ready for the 2027 season. The team currently doesn’t have a home field yet, but that is being worked on. “So at the end of the day, all of those partnerships will help improve the facilities, will improve experience for the people that will come to play here, including fans who are coming to see the game,” said Vergara. While they won’t know the full impact of the World Cup on soccer in Manitoba until registration opens next year, Vergara said it is expected there will be an influx of participants wanting to try the sport, which highlights the importance of upgrading the facility. Raff Cantafio, the son of Ralph Cantafio who the facility is named after, said his dad always felt that soccer in Winnipeg and Manitoba should always be viewed as top quality. “This investment honours that belief by creating better opportunities for today’s players and for generations still to come,” he said.
