Formal Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land

Heritage Value

St. Lawrence Centennial Soccer Pitch has been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of St. Lawrence due to its historic and cultural value.

St. Lawrence Centennial Soccer Pitch has historic value for its association with soccer in St. Lawrence. Constructed in the early 1960s this soccer pitch was meant to replace an earlier, non-regulation sized field. The purpose of constructing the new pitch was to attract national and international events. The 1977 National Challenge Cup Championships were played on this field. Teams from Ireland and St. Pierre et Miquelon have also played there.

The origin of soccer in St. Lawrence dates back to the first settlers of the community, who originated from the European countries of England, Scotland and Ireland. With their immigration they brought with them cultural practices, including the game of football. The first recorded soccer game was in 1904, played between the Laurentians and a team from St. John’s. In these early days the games were played against crews from ships that anchored in the harbour.

St. Lawrence soccer teams have been powerhouses of soccer both locally and province-wide. Their success culminated in the Laurentians being named the “Team of the Decade” for the 1970s. The title “Soccer Capital of Canada” was bestowed on St. Lawrence by Eric King of the Canadian Soccer Association. St. Lawrence has earned the title based on the numerous awards its soccer teams have been awarded, such as the three silver medals and one bronze medal earned in the National Challenge Cup Competition. Indeed, including senior, intermediate and youth teams, hundreds of championships and trophies have been won by St. Lawrence. The Laurentians are exceptionally good at representing their tiny community. St. Lawrence Centennial Soccer Pitch has further historic value for its associated chalet, located on the property. This building houses the St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame and the Wall of Honour, and related events are held there.

St. Lawrence Centennial Soccer Pitch has cultural value because it reflects the importance the sport has played in the community from a very early time. St. Lawrence is a town rich with athletes and sports organizations devoted to the encouragement of young children, youth and adults. This is a town that thrives on its soccer, past and present. St. Lawrence has turned out many talented and capable soccer players who have gone on to play the game in larger arenas. And many people remaining in this tiny town, young and old, play today. It is easy to measure the distance travelled during the community’s soccer history by the trail of excellence that has been left behind in the forms of regional, provincial and national championships and trophies. St. Lawrence Centennial Soccer Pitch is a lasting reminder of the passion for soccer embedded deep in the heart of this community.

Source: Town of St. Lawrence Motion 05-126, August 16, 2005.

Character Defining Elements

All those elements that reflect the significance of the soccer pitch, including:

-the regulation size of the field;

-the wide, open space, and;

-the associated chalet which houses the Wall of Honour and the St. Lawrence Hall of Fame, both which celebrate the soccer history of the town.

Community

St. Lawrence

Municipality

Town of St. Lawrence

Construction (circa)

1960 - 1960