By Anna Skinner
During the Westfield City Council meeting on April 13, a partnership with Westfield Youth Soccer Association and Indiana Fire Juniors Travel Soccer was announced to construct seven or eight additional fields at Grand Park. Because of the partnership with WYSA and IFJ, the Grand Park fields can become a location for their recreational soccer teams.
The fields will be constructed next to the park, on land that is currently not being used. The approximate cost is $160,000, and additional parking spaces will also be constructed.
Combined, the WYSA and the IFJ work with over 1,500 youth soccer players in the local area.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be moving our recreational soccer program to Grand Park,” Mark K. Anderson, WYSA/IFJ co-chairman, stated. “The City of Westfield’s generous plan will allow us to continue offering soccer practices and games in one convenient location, with a consistent schedule that is sensitive to today’s busy families.”
Grand Park expects to serve over 1.5 million attendants each year at the park.
“After the sale of the fields at Shamrock Springs, we felt it was important to find a way to make sure the youth recreational program could have a permanent home at Grand Park,” stated Westfield City Council President Chuck Lehman.
Bringing recreational soccer to Grand Park will create even more family friendly events. Many children who participate in recreational soccer continue on to play throughout their adult lives and can often become referees and coaches.
“Over the years, we have found that the Recreational Soccer program makes a difference in the lives of area families,” Anderson stated. “We strive to offer a program that is cost-effective, family oriented and open to all young players, regardless of soccer experience. The program has grown consistently over the years, as more and more players discover their love for the game.”
