PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - The Island's first indoor soccer complex has been put on hold after the lowest tender to build it came in almost 50 per cent higher than the estimated cost.

The P.E.I. Soccer Association has cobbled together $3 million for the project: from the federal and provincial governments; the Town of Stratford, which donated $150,000 and the land; and $865,000 raised by the association.

The facility was announced in April, and construction was supposed to be already underway with the goal of a September opening. The association believed $3 million would cover the building costs.

But contractors bidding on the project disagreed. The lowest tender came in at $4.3 million. Rising costs for steel and fuel are being blamed for the higher than expected price tag.

The association has developed a new plan it believes will cost $3.7 million, and is applying for more government money to make up the shortfall. The association says the facility will be built, but it won't be open in September.

It's been a difficult year on P.E.I. for building sports facilities, a number of which are being prepared for the 2009 Canada Games. The Town of Montague is asking the province for $1.2 million to make up a shortfall in the budget for its new wellness facility, and cutbacks were made in renovations at the baseball facility in Stratford.

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