The roof has been raised on the West Kelowna soccer dome.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / City of West Kelowna

Soccer domes have become a must-have in communities where the short and cold days of winter severely curtail sporting activity.

What can be done in these bubbles, however, is a little more restrictive than what happens on your average grassy field, as was made clear when the rules for West Kelowna’s new dome were announced.

Parks planner Mark Roberts told council earlier this month that no Gatorade, sugary substances or food would be allowed in the $4.1 million soccer dome. Water, he said, would run off easily, so it is OK.

He also told council — which expressed some concern in response — that the facility is currently lacking both bleachers and benches and lawn chairs aren't welcome.

It’s quite similar to what happens at the two Kelowna soccer domes, although they’ve made provisions for spectators that may not materialize in West Kelowna.

Lorrie Leins is the administrator for Kelowna United FC, which operates the Mission and Rutland soccer domes.

“In ours, we went along with what was allowed on the City of Kelowna turf when it first opened, so players were only allowed to take in water... and we have netting up between the field and the spectator area so in the spectator area they are allowed to have drinks,” Leins said. “We don’t like food because it leaves a mess.”

That said, spectators with children do tend to bring in snacks so they have garbage cans throughout to curtail the mess.

As for seating the Mission facility has bleachers, and the one in Rutland is fundraising to buy bleachers — it currently has benches that Leins said offer ample seating for parents watching their kids play.

She added that lawn chairs aren’t allowed on the turf, but in the spectator section they are fine.

A grand opening for the West Kelowna dome is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 16 and user groups are looking to rent starting in January. Council noted that the users were from a number of organizations and the use of the building extended beyond just playing soccer.

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