Pro Iowa Hosts Grand Opening of Linnan Park Mini-Pitch in Clive

Pro Iowa, Partners Host Grand Opening of Linnan Park Mini-Pitch

Additional Mini-pitch Locations Announced Across Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa (June 14, 2021) — Linnan Park in Clive is now home to the state’s first double mini-pitch following a grand opening celebration held Saturday. The futsal-sized pitches are part of a unique $1 million statewide effort between Pro Iowa, Kick It Forward and Musco Lighting to design and construct 10 mini-pitches in seven cities across Iowa. Linnan Park’s double mini-pitch is the first to feature two courts.

 “The partnership with Musco Lighting, Pro Iowa and Kick It Forward helped this become a reality and will be a catalyst for the upcoming renovation of Linnan Park,” said Richard Brown, Clive’s Leisure Services Director. “We are already seeing the courts be heavily used each day and they have added vibrancy to the park that would not have been possible without this partnership.” 

 Saturday’s celebration, held in partnership with the City of Clive, welcomed members of the community with an afternoon of food, music with La Q Buena, family activities and appearances by the Des Moines Menace soccer club.

 Pro Iowa also announced the remaining site locations included in the mini-pitch effort across the state, which 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 Pro Iowa Mini-Pitch – Des Moines

 “These mini-pitches offer the opportunity to rejuvenate abandoned courts or areas with limited space, creating a fun and active place that makes the game of soccer accessible to communities across our state,” said Pro Iowa’s Kyle Davy.

 Musco's Mini-Pitch System™ Modular Sports Solutions are designed for futsal, and they come fully equipped with lighting, fencing, goals and benches. The courts will be open to the public. Each mini-pitch also will feature its own uniquely-designed court!

“This commitment from Pro Iowa and Musco Lighting serves as a blueprint soccer influencers and professional soccer franchises across the United States can follow. Thousands of kids will grow up playing on these Mini-Pitch Systems while indulging themselves in a realistic dream of being a Pro Iowa player one day,” said Matt Sahag, Kick It Forward founder.

 The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation, a local nonprofit created to design and build a multi-use professional soccer stadium and Global Plaza in downtown Des Moines through a public-private partnership,  is championed by the Pro Iowa campaign. Community members are encouraged to voice their support for the project by visiting ProIowa.com.