WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A local soccer club is looking to build two new fields somewhere in the Wausau area.
Marathon County United youth soccer club is in the process of finding a location and raising funding for two full-size artificial turf soccer fields. MC United presented their project to the Wausau Parks and Recreation Committee earlier this month and was able to get a letter of approval for the project.
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But the initial proposed location for the soccer fields at Airport Park has since been scrapped. With the initial location no longer an option, Club President Sharon Belton says the main goal for the Club right now is to find an existing location for the fields between 6 to 8 acres.
“If we’re able to repurpose existing sites, for example, a site that might already have restrooms or already have parking. The cost associated with building the fields in an area like that is going to be less than having to start from scratch in someplace that doesn’t have for example restrooms and parking.”
The Club is working with both the city and the Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department to find that new location. While that search is in progress, Belton explains the Club is also working on getting ready to apply for different funding options.
“Moving forward with all of the pieces that we need in order to be able to apply for grant funding from area foundations. To present our information to area foundations and other organizations that we hope will contribute philanthropic funds that we need in order to have the resources to make this happen.”
The fields are expected to cost anywhere from $2.25 to $3.25 million depending on what all needs to be built at the site. Around 95% of the funding needed for the project will be raised by the Club itself. $25,000 will be allocated from the Club to support the project.
While the plan for the project is in its earliest stages, Belton believes it will be a good investment for the community. Different sporting tournaments at the Eastbay Sports Complex has generated $6 million annually in economic impact for the area. And Belton believes a new soccer field complex could have a similar impact.
“When you have something like a youth sports activity where kids can get out and be exercising, families can participate. And at the same time drawing in people from across the state to participate. You have those economic impacts that in turn provide reinvestment back into the community.”
The current timeline from the project is to build the fields as soon as possible. But until a site is selected and funds are raised, it’s unsure when that construction and opening would be. A formal timeline will be established after a site is selected and funds are mobilized.
