Blackhills Community Soccer Complex

2007  The land is seeded

• Hundreds of volunteers pick up sticks and debris from the cleared land.
• Oregon seed companies donated grass seed and Wilco Agriliance of Chehalis donated fertilizer and applied the seed in the fall.

2006  The land is leveled

• The US Army, Fort Lewis, 585th Engineering Company and 864th Engineer Battalion (heavy equipment) leveled the soccer complex as a training mission prior to their deployment to build roads in Afghanistan.
• The first half of the access road was paved.

2005  Access road agreement

• An access agreement off 93rd Avenue was agreed to with the neighboring property owners to improve access to the soccer complex.
• Land-clearing continued with the volunteer work of many soccer players and coaches.

2004  Land-clearing begins

• Initial land-clearing began with the loan of a bulldozer from Manke Lumber Company and the volunteer work of many soccer families.
• An agreement was made with the City of Tumwater to explore the potential for water at the site.

2003  A non-profit is formed

• The Blackhills Community Soccer Complex formally became an independent, non-profit organization.
• The 40-acre parcel was purchased with the funds raised from annual Soccer Balls.
• The conceptual design of the soccer complex was developed.

2002 The search for land is successful

• After several intensive months of searching for land, a perfect piece of property came on the market on 93rd Avenue south of Tumwater.

2001 The vision emerges and fundraising begins

• The vision is to build a full-service soccer complex for community youth, featuring 10 fields, a playshed, restrooms, concessions building, running track and lighting.
• The first annual “Soccer Ball” was held – a dinner/auction to raise funds for purchasing land.
  

• We have invested $123,000 toward the purchase of 40 acres of land off 93rd Avenue SW near Interstate 5.
• More than 30 acres has been prepared for final grading later in the Fall prior to planting grass.
• We have cleared more than 30 of the 40 acres of land using donated equipment, volunteer labor, and most recently the help of the Army (seeWork in Progress).
• A road bed has been prepared for paving for half the length of the access road to the site.
• A well has been drilled on site cooperatively with the City of Tumwater.
• An easement agreement has been finalized with neighboring properties so that an access road to the property from 93rd Avenue SW can be constructed.
• Land had been cleared and prepared for seeding in Fall 2007.