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Storm dashes soccer dreams


Published on January 15, 2009
John Browne

"It's gut wrenching," said Jim Buckingham as he stood in the snow and inspected the remnants of his dream.

Winds, gusting at times to more than 100 kilometres an hour and a snowfall of close to 15 centimetres, combined to bring down the steel frame structure of the new indoor soccer facility in Pleasantville Wednesday evening.

Comments

  • Username
    William
    - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:33

    This is sad. These two men are pillar volunteers in the sporting community. They have always been there to provide financial help to school age and junior sporting teams, providing funds, equipment, uniforms, etc. John & Jim deserve to see their dream built.
    I hope everything works out for you guys.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Pen
    - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:31

    This is sad really. It seems like its one thing after the other when it comes to soccer in this province.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Timboy
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:44

    I was surprised to read this story as I was under the impression that the fitness centre of excellence off Crosbie Rd. was also to have indoor soccer facilities.

    I totally support this man in very way as a former soccer player I know we hated playing some tournaments on concrete hockey rinks in the spring!. Hope it all works out well. Anyway good luck to Mr. Buckingham

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    David
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:37

    On the bright side, at least you have Mile One stadium you can use in a pinch, if it isn't booked up!

    Seriously, just quit fighting where you live! Take up a sport that you can play outdoors in wind, sleet and fog.

    World champs, baby!

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Flippy
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:49

    I drove by this thing many a time and thought this was the proverbial straw house. I pondered why anyone would time the construction of this thing to be at this vulnerable stage in the middle of a Newfoundland January.

    He probably should've hired a good structural engineer, who knows this province's climate, to do the planning. As it stands (or lays) now, it looks like some engineering firm has done some damage to their reputation. Imagine, not anticipating the unpredictability of a Newfoundland winter...

    It's too bad he had everything he owned riding on this thing. I guess if you want to make big money you must take big chances (but not foolish ones). Nice effort though.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    GD
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:56:18

    You foolish NL people - not even able to prevent this

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Saddened
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:17

    This is terrible. The province of Newfoundland has such potential as being a very competitive at national level (as seen at the Jubilee Cup) but it is just lacking resources.

    With the advent of the Crosbie Road training center and John and Jim's indoor facility it is on the right road to bringing NL soccer up to speed.

    We need to be able to train our athletes year round like the rest of the country. I truly hope that John and Jim don't give up on this dream of theirs. The soccer community of NL needs this and we appreciate everything that they have done.

    I hope they get some funding from the powers that be to get this back on track.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    J
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:42

    This is really sad, I actually live across the street from this area and I watched them break ground, put up the steel and with a gust of wind she comes tumbling down. What a sin. Good thing no one was hurt. Good luck John and Jim with your dream.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Thank god there were no
    - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:45

    Thank goodness no loss of life.

    it would probaly have gone down in a similar wind storm with young children playing inside.

    And now that th especial weather contract with AMEC shows they couldn't/didn't forecast the awful rain last month, this wind storm could have been missed.

    Just awful, but thank god no children were crushed inside.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    William
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:14

    This is sad. These two men are pillar volunteers in the sporting community. They have always been there to provide financial help to school age and junior sporting teams, providing funds, equipment, uniforms, etc. John & Jim deserve to see their dream built.
    I hope everything works out for you guys.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Pen
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:22

    This is sad really. It seems like its one thing after the other when it comes to soccer in this province.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Timboy
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:47:17

    I was surprised to read this story as I was under the impression that the fitness centre of excellence off Crosbie Rd. was also to have indoor soccer facilities.

    I totally support this man in very way as a former soccer player I know we hated playing some tournaments on concrete hockey rinks in the spring!. Hope it all works out well. Anyway good luck to Mr. Buckingham

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    David
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:13

    On the bright side, at least you have Mile One stadium you can use in a pinch, if it isn't booked up!

    Seriously, just quit fighting where you live! Take up a sport that you can play outdoors in wind, sleet and fog.

    World champs, baby!

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Flippy
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:59

    I drove by this thing many a time and thought this was the proverbial straw house. I pondered why anyone would time the construction of this thing to be at this vulnerable stage in the middle of a Newfoundland January.

    He probably should've hired a good structural engineer, who knows this province's climate, to do the planning. As it stands (or lays) now, it looks like some engineering firm has done some damage to their reputation. Imagine, not anticipating the unpredictability of a Newfoundland winter...

    It's too bad he had everything he owned riding on this thing. I guess if you want to make big money you must take big chances (but not foolish ones). Nice effort though.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    GD
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:43:09

    You foolish NL people - not even able to prevent this

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Saddened
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:36:30

    This is terrible. The province of Newfoundland has such potential as being a very competitive at national level (as seen at the Jubilee Cup) but it is just lacking resources.

    With the advent of the Crosbie Road training center and John and Jim's indoor facility it is on the right road to bringing NL soccer up to speed.

    We need to be able to train our athletes year round like the rest of the country. I truly hope that John and Jim don't give up on this dream of theirs. The soccer community of NL needs this and we appreciate everything that they have done.

    I hope they get some funding from the powers that be to get this back on track.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    J
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:39

    This is really sad, I actually live across the street from this area and I watched them break ground, put up the steel and with a gust of wind she comes tumbling down. What a sin. Good thing no one was hurt. Good luck John and Jim with your dream.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Thank god there were no
    - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:39

    Thank goodness no loss of life.

    it would probaly have gone down in a similar wind storm with young children playing inside.

    And now that th especial weather contract with AMEC shows they couldn't/didn't forecast the awful rain last month, this wind storm could have been missed.

    Just awful, but thank god no children were crushed inside.

    Submit a comment

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