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.As a TFC soccer fan, as well as semi-regular community user of BMO Field, I can see both sides of the argument about artificial turf.
For competitive soccer (be it TFC/MLS, or games involving one of Canada's national teams), real grass is by far preferable.
For amateur athletes however, the durability of turf, and the fact that (with an inflatable bubble) it can be used year-round is hard to argue with.
So how to solve this dilemma, and keep both sides happy?
Easy -- move the turf and bubble 800m west! See the image (and click for a larger version).
There's a massive and little-used parking lot at the western end of the Exhibition Grounds. It would easily accomodate a full-sized soccer field, and a new field-house with change facilities. During the summer it would be a round-the-clock outdoor sports facility. And in the colder months, the bubble would ensure a continued heavy schedule of community usage. Overall the community would actually have MORE access, since we wouldn't be blocked on on TFC game days.
As a bonus, the new pitch is located beside a forlorn softball diamond that could be made vital again.
Meanwhile, back at BMO, competitive soccer would be played on the surface it should be played on: natural grass. Canada's Men's and Women's (and Junior and Senior) teams would have a proper home base in heart of Canada's largest city. TFC would be able to attract (amd keep) the bext players in North America, and their winning ways would surely help grow the sport.
Thanks to designer extraordinaire Chris Kirkwood and maps.live.com for help with the photo-stitching.
