The Aurora Youth Soccer Club wants to clean up its act.

Having used the many sport and recreation facilities Aurora has to offer, AYSC executive director Jim Brennan notices when hockey players get off the ice, swimmers exit the pool and basketball players get off the court, the first thing they do is get changed and showered.

Unfortunately, local soccer players don’t have the same opportunity to wash up after a game.

“Out of the 46 fields we use in Aurora, not one of them has a dressing room or showers,” he said. “We are bringing players from across the province and they have to get changed in their cars, play a game for 90 minutes in the middle of summer and then they have to get back in their cars and drive another five hours back to where ever they came from.”

Brennan stood in front of town council this week and asked for its help in building a clubhouse-type structure that includes change rooms and showers at Sheppard’s Bush.

“We would like to help as much as we can with funding, but we are asking for financial help from the town,” he said. “We anticipate it will cost $750,000 but I’m sure we could get it lower.”

He went onto explain that the Ontario and Canada soccer associations set league standards that have to be met in order for soccer clubs to satisfy the criteria to continue league operations. Change rooms and showers are on the list of requirements.

Founded in 1964, the club currently serves 5,000 youth and adult members.

Aurora boasts the highest per capita soccer participation in Canada.

The soccer club offers a wide range of different programs including those tailored for individuals with special needs, men and women’s leagues, competitive rep leagues as well as its first-class recreation program.