Bumpus complex opens second soccer field

WASILLA —Through volunteers and financial donations, Wasilla officially opened its second soccer field at the Bumpus Soccer Field complex.

Wasilla Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) Executive Director Lisa Catlett and Mayor Bert Cottle joined others involved in making the field a reality, along with a group of youth soccer players, in a Wednesday evening ribbon-cutting. It didn’t take long to get put to use as the first match was played Thursday.

“We were grateful to have so many in attendance to celebrate the completion of this phase of development after many years of dedication and hard work” Catlett said. “We are so proud of our club, facility, and community.”

In his address to the gathering, Cottle noted that completion of the field was four years in the making. He said it provided a great example of what can be accomplished when the private sector and volunteers work together for the common good. From breaking ground to opening whistle, the new field took more than two years and began the summer of 2014. The project cost approximately $50,000 to complete and included high quality goals for the new field.

During her remarks, Catlett said a $10,000 grant from Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation will allow for preliminary work for eventually two more fields at the complex. She said the WYSA long-term goal is to create a central location for organized youth soccer. Currently, there are four additional fields at Alcantra plus area schools but they are scattered around the area.

Other inclusions in the next development phase include an enclosure, fencing and a building to house restroom, concession and office facilities. She said a combination of grants, donations and volunteers will be needed to make it a reality.

Catlett said interest in organized soccer continues to grow at a steady clip. She said during the summer, every current available field in the city is used and as the borough’s population expands, so does the need for additional fields.

In addition to current and past WYSA board members, Frank Anderson and Kathy Swartz, Catlett issued kudos to Cottle, city parks and recreation director Joan Klapperich and city engineer Archie Giddings for their efforts. Project funders and benefactors included: U.S. Soccer Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Matanuska Electric Association, Matanuska Telephone Association, Enstar, Mat-Su Seahawkers, Alpine Septic, Acutek Survey, Clearwater Fencing and Sockeye Aspahlt.