In news from Southwest Missouri, the Springfield City Council approved a $10 million dollar upgrade for Lake Country Soccer (LCS). LCS just finished hosting the Missouri High School Soccer Finals and the investment is meant to increase opportunities for more High School and club tournaments. Springfield Soccer Complex Expansion Plans
Planned improvements include the addition of eight turf fields and enhancements to the 10 existing grass fields. Upgrades include a FIFA-approved championship field with seating for 3,500 people, new locker rooms, restrooms and meeting areas, as well as the addition of eight turf fields and improvements to the ten existing grass fields. The Championship field could lead to approval for a USL-1 team.
It’s not the only effort to make the area a destination for soccer. Private developers and the city of Springfield may soon be partnering to bring a roughly $17 million sports complex to a property south of the Springfield-Branson National Airport. City officials heard a presentation about a proposal to turn a 106-acre property into a sports facility featuring 11 grass, one turf and two indoor soccer fields and four basketball courts that can be turned into eight volleyball courts on the Northwest side of the city, near the intersection with Business 44/Highway 266. If you’ve driven West on I-44, it’s just North of the Deer Lake golf course that sits on either side of I-44 just beyond the Airport. Proximity to the airport is one of the selling points for the location, making travel easier for teams beyond normal driving range.
Here’s a link to the presentation made to the City Council for the new facility. The photos below are from the presentation with more available to see by clicking on the link.
- Fieldhouse – soccer, basketball and volleyball
- Overview
- Facility Rendering
I have to admit to being a skeptic at the cities future opportunities to support the 30 fields that the Springfield Soccer Complex Expansion Plans would make available with the completion of both projects.
Springfield is working to become a destination for "sports tourism." On Monday, the council took a couple steps in making it happen. My latest for @springfieldNL: https://t.co/dAQBzQNy9h
— Katie Kull (@KatieKull1) December 2, 2020