Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 12:30 p.m., the
City of Akron and the Greater Akron Soccer Association will dedicate the new and
long-awaited soccer facility on Copley Road. Following the ceremony, at 1 o’clock, 18
teams will play simultaneously on the nine new fields at Copley and White Pond Drive.The
City of Akron purchased the 34-acre site from The House of the Lord church in 2001 with
plans to develop it, but soil conditions made it ill suited for building. It is,
however---according to City engineers---perfect for playing fields.
In 2004, Akron, Copley Township and the Ohio Youth Soccer Association North reached
agreement to expand the current complex to at least 15 playing fields for youth soccer.
OYSAN is the largest youth soccer organization in Ohio and serves 55,000 young people in
Northern Ohio.
The expanded facility would include, along with more fields, paved parking, a
concession/restroom building, pavilion and maintenance building.
OYSAN President Ted Williams said, "This will provide even more high quality
soccer facilities to promote league play and to allow Akron to host major youth soccer
tournaments."
Mayor Don Plusquellic calls the fields "among the finest our children can play
on."
END
