Bluffton Soccer Club raising funds for new complex

BLUFFTON — As soccer continues to grow in popularity in the Bluffton area, an ambitious project several years in the making could help the sport grow to new heights while also addressing a desire village residents have expressed for more access to green space.

The village is working with the Bluffton Soccer Club, a non-profit organization promoting both recreational and competitive soccer in the area, to create a new soccer complex that, when completed, would house multiple youth soccer pitches and promote other outdoor activities for the village.

“In a public outreach project we had, we’ve just had a visioning document completed, ‘Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow,’ we’re looking at what Bluffton is going to look like the next several years,” Bluffton Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn said. “One resounding message that came back from the public engagement is that our community wants more green space. We want to be able to get together in gathering spaces as a community.”

Soccer has been one area that has been bringing more Bluffton residents together, as the soccer club now has more than 300 children participating in both recreational teams and in under-8, under-10, under-12 and under-15 traveling teams that compete against similar teams in areas like Toledo and into Michigan. These teams are currently forced to compete in different locations due to available space. These locations stretch from Beaverdam to Bluffton’s Village Park to Ebenezer Mennonite Church west of Bluffton.

The proposed complex, which would be located on Snider Road across from the Bluffton Family YMCA, would house three U-8 pitches and two U-10 and U-12 pitches each, allowing those teams to compete in one location close to home. The site is currently 10 acres in area, with five acres coming through a donation from the neighboring SumiRiko facility and the other five coming from the Village of Bluffton. The location also allows for the possibility of later expansion, according to the club.

Once fully completed, the complex would also feature walking paths, a playground and a sheltered area to create an outdoor gathering place for community members.

“The three different locations does hurt us,” Bluffton Soccer Club complex committee member Tyler Gleason said. “By having a centralized location for these age groups, it’ll bring a lot of business to downtown and keep the money local.”

While the village is working with the club in logistical areas like stormwater mitigation planning, the club has been working on finalizing its pitch to area businesses and organizations to raise the needed funds to cover the estimated $1.5 million cost to create the complex.

“We’re shooting for next fall to be playing on it,” Gleason said. “Next week, we’re going to be talking to our contractors to double-check pricing and when they could start. We want to make sure it’s done right, so if we have to delay it a season, we will, but we’re really trying to get it by next fall.”

The club is also accepting individual donations for the project. Those interested in donating can do so at https://bit.ly/4dzYPkt.