Blaine, Minn. (May 22, 2019) – The National Sports Center (NSC) announced a partnership with Spring Lake Park Schools to install artificial turf on two of the NSC’s outdoor grass fields. The fields, currently designated A3 and A4, are located south of 105th Ave. NE, directly north of the Main Parking Lot, and northeast of Centerview Elementary School.
The district and the NSC will share the cost of the project, the components of which include artificial turf and lights on both fields, a scoreboard on A3 and improved fencing to keep balls from rolling into the adjacent parking lot. The budget for the entire project is approximately $2.2 million.
The fields will be configured for use by multiple sports – soccer, lacrosse, ultimate and potentially baseball.
The district will have priority use during normal school-day and after-school hours. The NSC will take over use during non-school use hours – typically evenings and weekends. The NSC will have access to the fields for its major tournaments, including USA CUP in July.
“This project is the latest example of the public benefit from the innovative public partnership between Spring Lake Park Schools and the NSC that began with the construction and opening of Centerview Elementary School last September.” said Todd Johnson, National Sports Center Executive Director.
Johnson pointed out that the NSC is moving forward on a program to eventually add up to 12 outdoor artificial turf fields on its campus. The first stage was the addition of two turf fields in the Stadium in 2018.
“Our partnership with the NSC continues to yield great things for our students,” said Superintendent Jeff Ronneberg. “By working together, we are able to provide facilities that our students can use for physical education classes and athletic practices, along with use by the community through the NSC.”
This project was approved by the Coon Creek Watershed District at its May 13 meeting. Construction will begin immediately, and the new fields should be ready in early August 2019.
