The City of Akron, Copley Township and the
Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN)
have just agreed to a joint partnership to expand the developing Copley Road soccer
complex project, at Copley Road near White Pond Drive. The City will create at least 15
playing fields for youth soccer. There will also be land for OYSAN to construct an
all-weather, synthetic field and organizational headquarters. OYSAN is the largest
youth soccer organization in the state and serves roughly 55,000 young people from five to
19 years of age in Northern Ohio. Local leagues represented by OYSAN include West Akron,
Greater Akron, Copley, and Stow.
The newly proposed project area is located in both Akron and Copley Township. This
expanded athletic complex will accommodate local teams and provide a venue to attract
state and regional tournaments.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said, "Certainly this will fit the increasing
recreational needs of Greater Akron. But, it will also have an impact on Northern
Ohio’s economy as it attracts state and regional tournaments."
OYSAN President Ted Williams added, "This project meets our goal of providing new,
high-quality soccer facilities in Northeast Ohio to promote league play and to effectively
allow the Akron area to host major youth soccer tournament play."
OYSAN approached the City in 2001 after Akron announced plans to build new soccer
fields on 34 acres of land at Copley Road and White Pond Drive near Graf Growers. The City
began construction last fall on the original plans, which will provide eight soccer
fields, paved parking, a concession/ restroom building, pavilion, and maintenance
building. The current construction is scheduled for completion this summer.
Scott Dressler, president of the Copley Township Board of Trustees said, "I am
pleased to have this complex in our community and with Akron’s participation in its
creation. This soccer complex will benefit Copley in several ways. We will have more
fields for our teams to play on, space for tournaments for our schools and be home to the
headquarters for a conference that serves all of Northern Ohio…the impact of this
will be significant for our economy given the many hotels and restaurants available in our
community."
General terms of the expanded project are defined in a Letter of Understanding, and
subsequent agreements will be executed concerning facility operations and maintenance.
Last fall, the City acquired seven acres of land on White Pond Drive in Copley Township to
expand the soccer project. Additional land acquisition will be required.
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