Blackhills Community Soccer Complex

Joel Nightingale, senior and soccer player at Olympia High School and Blackhills Football Club U19 player, designed and built "A-Frame" Sponsorship Boards for the Soccer Complex. This is Joel's senior graduation project. With little guidance, Joel researched and drafted the design. After getting school approval for the project, Joel asked Home Depot in Olympia and Tumwater, and Lincoln Creek Lumber for donations of wood, paint, and hardware to construct the "A-Frame" boards. All three businesses gladly donated to Joel's project. Armed with the supplies, Joel constructed two different prototypes to see which was the better design. Throughout the late summer and fall, the Nightingale garage became Joel's workshop! On Sunday, November 9th, Joel delivered all six Sponsorship Boards to Blackhills Community Soccer Complex. Joel is finishing up his senior project by documenting his design and process so we can build more.

Thank you, Joel, for a job well done. We truly appreciate you!

For information on how to "purchase" a Sponsorship for advertising your business and support on Joel's A-Frame Boards, please call Dee at 438-2145, or download Joel's Advertising Flyer or visit our Field Sponsorhip page.

The Blackhills Community Soccer Complex is a non-profit organization recognized by the State of Washington (UBI #: 602 237 039) and awarded 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN: 71 0904896).  We are a volunteer organization whose mission is to build a multi-field soccer complex to support youth soccer in Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties. Our Board of Directors includes representatives from the Tumwater Youth Soccer Club, the Deschutes Youth Soccer Association, and Blackhills Football Club.

The Blackhills Community Soccer Complex Charity Code is 0330260.

Combine Fund Drive Website

Currently there are more than 6,000 youth soccer players in Thurston County and participation is increasing about 10% annually. However, the number of full-sized soccer fields available is remaining constant.  Each year almost 800 youth soccer games are scheduled on the available fields.  In addition, many of the fields are used for soccer practices anywhere from two or three times per week to almost daily.  This does not include games or practices by soccer teams affiliated with middle schools or high schools, adult league soccer games, modified games for players younger than 11 years old, or Kick-in-the-Grass Soccer Tournament games. In addition, many of these fields are used for youth football games and practices.

The demands on existing fields often lead to overuse and poor quality (sometimes dangerous) field conditions. Due to overuse and during the rainy season (November through February) many fields are closed.

• Increased demand for fields by soccer, rugby, and football.
• Addition of some new fields to the system (e.g., the Lacey RAC complex).
• Closure or further use restrictions of some currently available fields due to over use and lack of maintenance funds.

Our view is that there will be some progress in alleviating pressure on fields but not nearly enough to accomodate the increasing demand.