The Central Alberta Buccaneers will call Setters Place in Great Chief Park home this upcoming season.
Over the last five seasons, the Alberta Football League team played its home games at ME Global Park Athletic in Lacombe.
Vince Roth, Buccaneers co-chair, said there were a few reasons why they decided to make the move but the driving factor was finances.
“It’s not that Lacombe was an expensive place to play … but ultimately when we move into a bigger centre it opens a lot of options for sponsorships and those kind of things.
“We hope it pays dividends on the fan side of things too,” he said. “We hope to put more people in the seats this year.”
READ MORE: A look at Setters Place
Roth said getting a beer garden at Setters Place is much easier than it is at the Lacombe field.
“I’m not sure if it’s Lacombe bylaws or facility rules, but there was some red tape in getting a beer garden at a city-owned facility,” he said.
The decision to move to Setters Place was made in principle earlier in the month, but they wanted to check out the facility before confirming any decision.
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After touring the building Friday, the team decided it will play in Red Deer.
“It’s a beautiful place and I’m really excited to play there,” said Roth.
Roth said Lacombe has been great to the team. Some fans in the community are upset to see the Buccaneers go, he added.
“I get a little bit of a sense of (disappointment),” Roth said. “There are probably a few fans who are disappointed they can’t go to a game in their backyard anymore.”
“We aren’t leaving the community. We’re going to continue to practice there and we’ll carry on with our community work and everything,” said Roth.
A few sponsors from Lacombe had to withdraw their sponsorship due to regional restrictions, he added.
The Buccaneers’ first game at Setters Place is June 9.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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