Organization: Albert Lea Youth Soccer Association

Project: Youth soccer complex at Edgewater Park

Report: (Editor’s note: This letter was written last fall.)

Since this spring the Albert Lea Youth Soccer Association has been fundraising for this project. The organization has had several fundraising events for its members (soccer players, coaches and parents) to build awareness of its project and build support base:

• Spring soccer kickoff in the park

• Burger basket dinner

• Rummage sale

• T-shirt and sticker sales

In addition to these activities, the association has applied for grants from charitable and corporate foundations and has met with leaders from some of the larger business in the area to invite partnerships and contributions for the project. The association has made some great connections; current community partners include:

Businesses:

• Albert Lea Seed House

• Alliance Benefit Group

• Jones, Haugh & Smith

• Minnesota Corrugated Box

• Mrs. Gerry’s

• Wangen Excavating

• Winnelson

Charitable foundations:

• Albert B Cuppage Foundation

• Mayo Clinic Community Foundation

• Minnesota Community Foundation

This month the soccer association began approaching service clubs in the area to share project details and invite partnerships. Already there has been encouragement by the Moose Club and the Noon Kiwanis Club. The association is also beginning conversations with a wide range of area businesses.

This October should be groundbreaking month for the association. An excavator is lined up to come and grade and level the complex site this month. The soil testing reports are back, and the good news is that there is not much settling of the ground to be anticipated once the fields have been set. Some additional topsoil will need to be brought in.

Because of the continuous wet conditions this April and May, many farmers in the area were not able to plant all of their corn acres, and many decided to undertake tiling projects in their fields while they were unplanted.

Due to this unexpected circumstance, the soccer association was unable to hire someone to start with the tiling until next spring. An excavator is lined up to come and grade and level the complex site this fall. Next spring we will be laying the tiling and irrigation heads before seeding the fields.

This winter the association will continue with its fundraising efforts. With donations, grants and in-kind donations of materials and labor, there is already a total of $98,000 raised toward the $150,500 project total.

Considering the group is just beginning to reach out to service organizations and businesses in town, it feels very optimistic about having met its goals in time to complete the project on schedule.

There should be a new soccer complex in Albert Lea within one or two playing seasons.