KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City will further cement its status as one of the best places for youth soccer when it opens a state-of-the-art soccer facility Friday.
At a cost of $13.44 million, youth teams will have five new synthetic fields for practices and games. They also boast lights, upgraded restrooms, a concession stand and bleachers.
The fields are adjacent to Sporting KC’s practice facility at 63rd Trafficway and Lewis Road on the city’s east side, and this proximity will allow Sporting KC officials to better evaluate and develop soccer talent in Kansas City.
There is some controversy to the funding for these fields. Kansas City council members took several million dollars in TIF money meant to pay for upgraded sewers in the Swope Ridge neighborhood and applied it toward the construction costs of this facility. Local leaders justified the transfer of funds, saying the fields will attract teams from out of state to spend money.