Ten year old Jesse Vanden Berg has made an earnest request of Winkler Mayor Martin Harder: an indoor soccer complex.

To prove he's serious Vanden Berg put some skin in the game; attached to the letter was a twenty dollar bill.

"I'm pretty sure it costs a lot of money, but it would be a dream come true to me and lots of others," he says.

A player in the Winkler Wild soccer program, Vanden Berg says the ability to play and train year-round is needed.

"So soccer players, such as me and my brother William can develop over the years," he says.

He also gathered a number of signatures from teammates and friends.

Harder was impressed.

"Every twenty bucks is important, whether it comes from an adult, but especially someone your age," Harder said, addressing Vanden Berg at council on Tuesday, February 28. "Because it shows me we have tremendous leaders coming up in our community."

Harder notes the city has recently reached an agreement with the Garden Valley School Division and will be developing two new soccer fields at Northlands Parkway Collegiate, along with the city's first cricket pitch.

City council is also seeking funding from the Provincial and Federal government on the proposed $44 million Meridian Exhibition Centre which would include a multi-use facility that would be available for many sports, including indoor soccer.

Harder notes the request of Vanden Berg assures council they are on the right track.

"We have to have this... sooner rather than later," he says. "The community depends on it."

Soccer has exploded in popularity within the region in all age groups in recent years. The Winkler Wild began the league six years ago with one team. Now they fill seven teams.