ROGERS — Youth and adult soccer games will be played under lights this fall, according to recreation officials.
City and Rogers Youth Center officials agreed this week to a joint venture to light Foerster Park, adjacent to the Rogers Activity Center, 315 W. Olive St.
The project is expected to be complete before fall youth soccer begins Sept. 15, said Rick Stocker, the city’s recreation director.
“The Youth Center Board of Directors agreed to pay up to $35,000 for the labor to install the lights,” said Stocker.
At A Glance
Fast Facts
Soccer is a major sport in Rogers and attracts hundreds of players from Northwest Arkansas each year.
• There are about 90 youth soccer teams scheduled to play in the fall league.
• There are about 40 adult teams scheduled to play this fall.
• There are 10 soccer fields for all the games to be played.
• Each team plays one game a week.
Source: Staff Report
The lights, poles, cross arms and breaker boxes are being provided by the city.
“It is a great opportunity for us to partner with the Youth Center,” said Mayor Greg Hines.
The equipment once lit Veterans and Dock Wheeler parks’ softball and baseball fields, Hines said. Lights at Veterans Park were replaced when the city revamped fields and other facilities there three years ago. The Dock Wheeler lights were removed and put in storage when construction on the aquatic center began this year.
“Lighting the fields will make a big difference to our youth soccer program,” said David Chronister, a soccer supporter and coach. “Lights will alleviate many of the problems we usually have during the fall, especially after daylight saving time is over. Sometimes we can’t finish a game because it gets too dark.
“I’m really glad they are doing this. This is going to make a lot of people very happy. Another thing, now we might be able to attract some tournaments to the city because all the games wouldn’t have to be played during the day.”
About 90 youth teams and 40 adult teams will use the soccer fields at Foerster Park this fall, according to soccer officials. There are 10 soccer fields at Foerster Park.
“Normally, the youth teams play during the week, and the adult teams play on the weekend,” Stocker said.
Getting every game scheduled during daylight is often a problem, Stocker said.
“It will be possible to schedule some night games during the weekend, which will make scheduling easier,” Stocker said.
Dick Trammel, a member of the Rogers Youth Center board, said the partnership between the city and board has always been a blessing.
“I’m excited about this joint venture,” Trammel said. “This is going to be good for our kids. The city and Youth Center have always worked well together to get things done.”
Lighting the fields is a way to help the soccer program, Hines said.
“Many people were disappointed when we were unable to develop the soccer fields at the new sport park as planned because of water mitigation problems,” Hines said. “Lighting Foerster Park will help the soccer program while we try to find the land to build additional fields.”