Dec. 28—OTTUMWA — The next three years will bring new soccer pitches to the Des Moines River front in Ottumwa, the nonprofit Legacy Foundation announced Thursday.
The $3 million investment coordinated by the Legacy Foundation will begin construction in spring 2024 and ultimately result in a transformation of Greater Ottumwa Park Central Addition with a new soccer complex.
The complex will include three recalibrated, full-sized, crowned and irrigated natural turf soccer fields able to accomodate a broad range of matches and regional tournaments.
Also included in the project will be restroom facilities, two open shelters able to view the fields, improved parking, and a large digital scoreboard.
The Legacy Foundation said there are more than 220 youth soccer players in area leagues, and more than 150 individuals actively engaged in Ottumwa’s Sunday soccer league. The project will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to a highly visible area of Ottumwa, the announcement said.
“The impact of this project is far reaching,” Legacy President Kelly Genners said. “It addresses a long-standing need for facilities eagerly awaited by individuals of various ages and cultures.”
The project is planned to occur over three years, with the goal for the complex to be fully operational by the spring or summer of 2026. The complex is also being designed with other potential emerging sports to be integrated, such as lacrosse. Ultimately, the project aims to build a flexible venue for tournaments, clubs and leagues.
