06/17/08 — Kiwanis team up on soccer fields

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Kiwanis team up on soccer fields

By Anessa Myers
Published in News on June 17, 2008 1:46 PM

Preliminary plans are in the works for a soccer complex off U.S. 117 South by Waynesborough Park at the former Neuse Heights Subdivision.

The Sunrise Kiwanis Club is heading up the proposal, and their vision is to bring 12 fields to the area to accommodate players of all ages.

Currently, the plans contain three fields for children under the age of 14, two for those under 12, two for those under 10, two for those under 8, two for those under 6 and one professional size field that is placed in the middle of the complex.

The 27 acres of land that the club plans to use is mostly owned by the city, except one small parcel, and is Federal Emergency Management Agency land that may only be used for recreational purposes.

The club would spearhead fundraising efforts to raise the necessary funds from community resources to build the complex in phases over the next few years.

The idea for the field complex developed from a conversation between Kiwanis members.

Becky Craig, Kiwanis member, and Donna Martin, the Sunrise Kiwanis district president, met at a convention in South Carolina where they discussed how the city really didn't have soccer fields. Then they decided to change that.

"We feel that many children and adults will be able to benefit form this program and also the City of Goldsboro," Ms. Martin said. "Soccer is growing throughout North Carolina, and in Goldsboro we have many traveling leagues with no place to play."

The Kiwanis members also believe it will bring more people to Wayne County as more tournaments means more people and more money to the local economy. Because of Goldsboro's central location, they are hoping to draw crowds from all across the state.

They are also asking members of the community for their assistance in this project.

For more information and to learn how you can help, contact the Goldsboro Sunrise Kiwanis Club at 735-1300.