KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Kansas City inches closer to hosting the FIFA World Cup, a group of young soccer fans scored big by raising their voices to help convince the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissionersto approve a $3 million renovation project for a soccer complex in the Northeast.
The soccer complex at 9th and Van Brunt is estimated to be used by more than 40,000 people annually, according to KC Parks and Rec.
Thierry Ngabonziza, who plays for Ryogoku Soccer Academy, takes a public bus to the soccer complex on a routine basis.
"I think it's great, but I think it needs new turf because there's like a lot of glass on the ground and most of the kids, sometimes they'd be barefoot," Ngabonziza said.
Ngabonziza spoke in front of the Parks and Rec board to encourage the allocation of funds to renovate the fields.
At the most recent board meeting, members discussed the reality that many of the participants who use the fields don't have the resources to take part in club soccer teams that use Swope Soccer Village and other artificial turf soccer facilities.
The upcoming renovation project seeks to add lights to the complex, bring in new turf, a press box, spectator seating for approximately 500 fans, locker rooms and concession stands. KC Parks and Rec is currently taking requests for proposals (RFP) for the project. The hope is to complete the renovation by fall 2024.
"More kids play soccer here than anywhere else in the community, and it's because this is the sole turf field they have access to," explained Chris Cotten, director of KC Parks and Recreation.
Cotten believes once the project is complete, the complex will be open to host college prospect events and amateur and semi-professional leagues.
The department took over maintenance of the fields in 2007 from Public Works. At one point,the site was used as the city's streetcar maintenance, bus maintenance, body shop and fueling facility.
Cotten said changes have been made in the department's budget structure so when groups rent out the complex, a portion of the fee would go back into its maintenance fund. Safety measures are also in place to reduce crime in the area.
"We're very excited that the mayor's office is supportive of us growing the park ranger program so that we can work to make the parks safer," Cotten said. "We have a lot of activity that takes place in this park after dark, [like] underage drinking, and we're just trying to make it a safe area. One of the main reasons for the renovation is to make this a place where families want to come."
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