Pro Iowa Holds Grand Opening of Final Mini-Pitch in Oakridge Neighborhood

DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 22, 2021) — Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Pro Iowa, Musco Lighting and Kick It Forward celebrated the completion of the Oakridge mini-pitch during a grand opening ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 17. The Oakridge mini-pitch marks the last of the 10 futsal courts constructed across the state through the Pro Iowa Initiative.

Pro Iowa, through a unique $1 million partnership with Musco Lighting and Kick It Forward, donated 10 futsal-sized pitches (mini-pitches) to communities across the state. These mini-pitches offer the opportunity to rejuvenate abandoned courts and areas with limited space, creating a fun and active place that celebrates the spirit of teamwork, empowerment and fitness around the game of soccer. During the grand opening, Pro Iowa and Kick It Forward welcomed Oakridge Neighborhood before Oakridge middle school students performed the inaugural kick.

“The mini-pitch is a welcome addition to our 17-acre neighborhood,” said Teree Caldwell-Johnson, president and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood. “Over 53% of our residents are children and they have already been having a ball playing soccer on this new amenity.”

The completion of the Oakridge mini-pitch, located just one mile from the future Pro Iowa stadium, readies the community for the next step — construction of the Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza. Oakridge Neighborhood has embraced its new amenity as Des Moines’ growing global population continues to build excitement for the game of soccer.

The complete list of futsal courts across the state includes:

• Sunrise Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Pleasant Hill
• Evelyn K. Davis Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines
• Cheatom Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines
• Leif Erikson Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Sioux City
• Roberts Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Council Bluffs
• Perry Elementary School Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Perry
• Hoover High School Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines
• Hanna Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Marion
• Linnan Park Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Clive
• Oakridge Neighborhood Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines

“We’re proud to announce that all 10 of our mini-pitches have been installed in communities across Iowa,” said Charley Campbell, Iowa Soccer Development Foundation secretary. “This project revitalized community spaces and created fun, active places for Iowans to celebrate the spirit of teamwork, empowerment and fitness around the game of soccer. We’re excited for the state’s soccer lovers to join us as we move closer to our goal of building the Pro Iowa Stadium.”

“As an Iowa-based company, completing these 10 mini-pitch systems in neighborhoods across our home state gives us a special kind of pride,” said Jeff Rogers, President of Musco Lighting. “Seeing these kids in the Oakridge Neighborhood already taking advantage of this new facility and knowing they’ll have a high-quality recreational space for years to come feels great for our entire team. We appreciate the hard work and partnership of Pro Iowa, Kick It Forward and Oakridge Neighborhood Services to help make this project happen.”

Construction of the Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza is anticipated to begin in 2022 with Iowa’s first professional soccer kickoff slated for 2024.