Planning is well underway for a sports complex on the north end of town, but the new fields probably won’t be ready for games until 2020.
Former NFL quarterback Shaun Hill, a Parsons High School alumnus, has pledged $250,000 through his charitable foundation for the sports complex that will include two multi-use fields. The fields will be large enough to divide into four youth soccer and flag football fields or used as two tackle football or adult soccer fields. The complex also will include a parking lot, a building for storage, concessions and restrooms, fencing and bleachers. Eventually lights and a scoreboard will be added.
The city of Parsons has committed a match of $250,000 in property and in-kind work. Jim Zaleski, economic development director for the city of Parsons, has been working with Gary Crissman, Parsons Recreation Commission executive director, who has taken over the day-to-day role of coordinating the project. The PRC will be responsible for maintenance and operation of the complex once completed. Hill, who came up with the idea, also has been involved, and Crissman said there has been a lot of assistance offered for free from local people as well.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)