This Monday was a big step forward for the Moose Jaw Soccer Association (MJSA) after facing some financial tribulations early in the year.

Their troubles evolved when unpaid bills were discovered from the previous head staff in the association. These unpaid bills restricted the association’s soccer teams to use the Yara Center for practice and games and created some tension in their relationship with City Hall.

However, over the last few months, the MJSA has recruited new staff and has rebuilt its working relationship with City Hall.

The city and MJSA negotiated an agreement that finally saw signatures from both parties Monday afternoon.

They signed a five-year contract that contains financial agreements and allows for the MJSA to become a primary tenant in the Yara Centre.

Mike Armstrong has stepped into the role of the Chairman of the association and says that it’s been busy over the last several months, so the MJSA is excited for this step forward.

“Well Moose Jaw Soccer has been in the rebuilding phase over the last six months or so and this is a staple,” he says.

When asked about how the finances will be handled going forward Armstrong says, “We have a treasurer that is very well versed on what has happened in the past and has got a substantial handle on everything, and we have now since turned our financials around.”

The city's Parks and Recreation Department was the to one negotiate and present the contract to the MJSA, and Director of Parks and Recreation Derek Blais says the city is confident in this agreement and is looking forward to having it implemented.

“We have a really good working relationship here over the last few months. We want to ensure that we’re doing our part to help them grow their membership and continue to grow the game of soccer here in our community. So, we’re excited to see where things go and the opportunity to go into a 5-year agreement over the previous 3-year I think speaks to that as well,” says Blais.

The MJSA is planning to expand from 5 adult soccer teams to 6. People can register online at the MJSA website any time of the year.