Calgary, AB - Calgary Foothills FC is pleased to announce that after three different stadiums in 3 years, it has finally found a potential long term home that meets the minimum requirements of the Premier Development League (PDL), the needs of the team, all while providing an exceptional game day experience for the fans. In cooperation with Foothills Composite High School, the Town of Okotoks, and Okotoks United Soccer Club, Foothills FC will play the 2018 season at Foothills Field located at Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks.

“We needed to find a permanent home based on the league requirements of the PDL.” Says Foothills FC Head Coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “The league minimum standards require 1000 seats, a press box, locker rooms, and lights to name a few, along with many other essential amenities to host pro-am soccer against the likes of professional soccer organizations such as the Seattle Sounders U23 and Portland Timbers U23.” The facility in Okotoks meets all the league requirements and will provide spectators with excellent viewing from the near 1000 seats throughout the stadium, including a reserved seating section in the middle of the park.

Included in the game day experience will be live local bands, a march to the stadium, beer garden, supporters section, kids zone, local vendors, and a standing room/lawn chair area for those who want to get close to the action

“Okotoks has shown that it is a fantastic and supportive sports town as shown through the success of minor league teams, the Okotoks Dawgs and the Okotoks Oilers.” Wheeldon continued, “We aim to bring high profile soccer to Okotoks in a phenomenal setting at Foothills Composite High School. We have met with a selection of our season ticket holders, supporters, and sponsors to propose the why behind the move and will make sure arrangements are made to ensure that past season ticket holders, fans and sponsors are included in the move.” To accommodate the Calgary fan base transportation concerns and to add to the game day experience, Foothills FC is coordinating transportation that will bring fans from numerous locations throughout Calgary to and from each of the home games at no charge with their game ticket or season pass.

In addition to the need for a stadium that meets requirements, Wheeldon highlights another reason for the move, “With the Canadian Premier League around the corner and rumoured to be coming to Calgary in 2019, we need to find a permanent home for Foothills FC where it’s going to be sustainable, successful and where it will capture the hearts and minds of the community that supports it.” Foothills FC has some great corporate sponsors but are hoping for local businesses in Okotoks to get involved in this exciting venture to ensure its long term viability in the community.

Okotoks United Technical Director Matt Lumsden agrees, “It’s a really positive thing for our club and our community. It gives our members and the residents in Okotoks a chance to watch some very exciting and high level soccer right here on our doorstep.” The 2018 Foothills FC roster currently includes Canadian National Team players such as Nik Ledgerwood and Marco Carducci along with other top Canadian prospects such as Elijah Adekugbe and Jackson Farmer.

Foothills FC is very excited to call Okotoks home for the 2018 season and hopes to fill the stands for its 8 home games this spring and summer, kicking off on Saturday May 5 with a Pre-Season match vs FC Edmonton Academy then hosting the Victoria Highlanders FC in the PDL season opener on Friday May 11. Season tickets are now available online at www.foothillsfc.ca.

As a kickoff to the season, Foothills FC is hosting a meet and greet in Okotoks on Saturday, March 17th at Foothills Centennial Centre from 12:00 – 1:00 for anyone interested in learning more. The event will include a chance to learn about the team, plans for the season, and a chance to meet and hear from current Foothills FC players Marco Carducci and Nik Ledgerwood along with Head Coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. A limited number of reserved season tickets are left and will also be available for purchase at the event along with a free limited edition Foothills FC souvenier with your season tickets.

Photo Credit: Kevin Stanwood