Charlottetown Privateers optimistic about new turf fields following committee meeting

Grey and blue jerseys flooded Charlottetown City Hall as the Privateers Football Club took a plea for new turf fields directly to the parks, recreation and leisure activities committee. 

Well over 100 people showed up Wednesday night in support of the tackle and flag football group, which has been advocating for two multi-use turf fields to be built near Simmons Sports Centre.

Following the meeting, club spokesperson Paul Trewin said he is cautiously optimistic that their request will be approved. 

"I think the committee was very open to our presentation. I think they were very impressed with the commitment of all the kids and parents that came out tonight," Trewin said.

"I think that was the biggest impact.... It showed how desperate the football community is in Charlottetown to have first-class facilities."

No home field since 2023

The club has been without a permanent home since their field on Longworth Avenue shut down in 2023 because its state of disrepair was causing safety concerns. 

But Trewin said the club had been calling for a new field for years. Not only was the one on Longworth not maintained properly, he said it had no bathrooms or changing facilities.

"It's been frustrating," he said. "It's time for us to get with what the other communities have and to build a proper first-class facility for football."

Despite having limited luck thus far, Trewin knows there is strength in numbers — and those numbers were certainly not lacking at Wednesday's meeting.

Charlottetown's council chambers were packed, and even more waited in the hallway. The crowd clapped when committee chair Mitchell Tweel showed support for their project.

"I think it's fantastic and I think it's long overdue," Tweel said.

"The City of Charlottetown has never really built a regulation CFL-size football field here in the capital city, and support here tonight demonstrates quite clearly times up."

'Would mean the world'

Trewin told the committee that the club is growing. Securing places to play has been a challenge and created problems with retaining players. 

He said they've had to move between the Simmons grass fields, UPEI and the soccer complex in Winsloe, all while playing so-called home games in Cornwall. 

"We are not the Cornwall Privateers and we need to play games in out own communities," Trewin said during his presentation. 

"The time is now."

Privateers coach Elliott McNeil-McInnis, 15, agrees.

"It's been incredibly difficult. Finding transportation to and from practice has been insane really," he said. 

"It's been embarrassing practising next to our rival teams.... Having this field would mean the world, not just to me but to other athletes, coaches, volunteers and especially my younger athletes."

During the meeting, Mayor Philip Brown acknowledged time is of the essence and said "it has to be done this year or next year."

But he did raise a question about alternate locations if the Simmons field didn't work out. 

The club has its eyes set on Simmons, said Trewin, but is open to other options if it's the right fit. 

'God willing, it gets approved'

Trewin knows there is still lots of work to do but said he feels like at least one hurdle has now been overcome. 

"We seem to have their support," he said. "We love football, the players love football. We want to see it grow in Charlottetown."

As for Tweel, he said the committee will discuss the proposal but he's got a good feeling it will move on to Charlottetown council in the next few weeks.

"I believe we'll get one [field], but we'll push for two. We need two multi-purpose sports fields that not only accommodate football, but other sports," he said.

"I'm cautiously optimistic it'll get the support of the committee and then... on to city council and, God willing, it gets approved."