A self-proclaimed soccer mom frustrated with the lack of sports facilities for young people in Austin, Texas, has reportedly secured a lease to develop land for a six-field soccer park.
TV station KXAN reports that Christie Ciccarello founded the nonprofit group BuildSoccer after noticing how much time she and her children spent in the car driving to soccer events, rather than on the field enjoying them. The group has now secured an agreement with the Marbridge Foundation, a residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities, to build the soccer space.
It’s a win-win for both organizations, one that will allow youth soccer players a local facility closer to home as well as providing new Special Olympics opportunities for the Marbridge Foundation’s residents.
“The whole idea of bringing together the youth soccer community to the special needs community is a unique opportunity,” Ciccarello told KXAN.
Plans call for fields using both artificial turf and bermuda grass lit by 18 LED light poles, with safety features like ball stop nets and lightning detection tools. A concessions building, a walking path and a children’s playground are also included in the plans.
The facility will cater to numerous youth soccer groups, including Capital City Soccer Club, after school groups, summer camps and more.
The proposed design for the soccer facility comes with a $5 million price tag, so Ciccarello is seeking grants and sponsorship support to get the facility built.
Learn more about the project on the BuildSoccer website.
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