The beautiful game continues to be profitable for Nelson's biggest sports organization.
Nelson Youth Soccer was in the black for 2015 and is projected to be once again this year, according to financial statements released at the association's annual general meeting Monday night.
Chairman Kerry Dyck said he was cautiously optimistic about the organization's health following the AGM, which was held in a packed room at the Prestige Lakeside Resort.
"We're certainly satisfied," said Dyck. "I think, as some of the members made the point, you never want to get complacent just because we had a good year or maybe a couple good years [and] just assume that that will continue... Because I think when you get complacent that's when it starts to slide."
The organization's actual revenue is at first glance underwhelming, but also a misleading figure when judging the health of NYS.
A minor excess of revenue over expenses of $5,491 was recorded in 2015, which is down significantly from the $32,662 profit in 2014. An increase of $27,176 in wages and benefits, which Dyck said corresponds with the need to hire staff for the indoor facility, is the main cause for the downturn in revenue.
But three other figures do a better job of reflecting the state of the organization.
Firstly, growing registration continued to pay off with $134,627 in earnings, which was up just over $2,000 from the previous year. NYS projects that figure to grow to $140,000 by 2017. The 2016 outdoor season included 964 kids and 268 adults. Indoor numbers meanwhile showed 320 youth players and 308 adults.
The organization also continues to quickly pay down debt incurred by its 2014 purchase of the indoor soccer facility. Initially the purchase was made with a $350,000 loan from the City of Nelson, with the stipulation it be paid off at a minimum of $70,000 per year plus interest.
NYS owes just $160,000 on that loan now, a figure that will be down to $90,000 by the end of 2016.
Finally, NYS has put away $76,707 in a reserve intended to eventually help fund an artificial turf field. The organization presented a preliminary plan to the city last month.
Dyck said conversations continue with Selkirk College about the plan, which would use an undeveloped field behind Mary Hall at the Tenth Street Campus.
"If we get agreement from [Selkirk], then we'll start moving ahead with some of the specific decision making. That's sort of what we're waiting on. Nothing goes ahead without Selkirk College being on board."