About Community Fields:

History

We are fortunate to have been able to develop a 20-field soccer complex located on Ireland Grove Road about ¼ mile west of Towanda-Barnes Road . The 60-acre property is long-term leased from the Central Illinois Regional Airport Authority. The complex development process began in 1993. In its first three years of existence 5 of the 20 fields were utilized. The league is very proud that every year, improvements have been made to eventually reach full development. Each year the league has used available resources to pay off all debt, add parking, pave handicap parking areas, purchase new quality goals, construct a machine shed, add 76 trees, additional fencing, additional mower, utility vehicle and constant maintenance improvements. Currently, all 20 fields are used for play. The presence of the complex allows for high quality fields, customized sizes and multiple player families to play at one location.  

Complex up date Fall 2007

Plans for continual improvements to your PCSL soccer complex keep moving forward.  The complex first broke ground in 1993 and has grown from 6 to 20 fields.  With the successful implementation of small sided game player development we actually play more than 20 fields by creating two small fields using one larger field.  In 2007, the quality of our mowing, field lining and turf maintenance was raised to a high quality level thanks to PCSL’s partnership with the City Parks and Recreation Department.  Even with the drought, the turf although stressed, is rebounding nicely with the moisture returning.  Grass conditions should be very good in the Spring season.  Repairs to the facility included the repair of three field drainage tiles and maintenance on the parking surface.  In the spring you will see new signage for the fields and three information kiosks with a newly planted tree nearby.  Also, there will be new player benches on the U9 fields.  The benches and new trees are from donations and in memory of Kalin Hunter.   On a bigger scale we have submitted an application to install power to the shed which will then allow for other conveniences to be added in the future.  We are currently awaiting FAA approval because the land is leased from the Airport Authority.  As the budget and donations allow, other projects will include field size expansion, shelters, parking surface improvements, pathways, lights and concession building with bathroom facilities.  If you have ideas to help with the development or access to donations such as clean fill for field expansion, millings for the parking lot or labor/materials for shelters send a message to the PCSL office.

Maintenance and Changes

The complex has been maintained since 1993 by a small corps of volunteers. The mowing, goal setup, equipment management, garbage collection, sign setup and various maintenance items have all been performed by volunteers! Some tasks have been contracted such as yearly aeration, weed and feed management program, portable toilets, garbage hauling, some specialty maintenance items and field lining.

A new, exciting and positive step was completed in November 2006 when PCSL entered into a field use and management agreement with the City of Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation. The cooperative agreement between the City, PCSL and District 87 will open up more opportunities for the entire soccer community. The cooperative effort will allow for higher quality field maintenance and a central field scheduling focus. Starting with the Fall 2006 men’s season, the Bloomington High School home fields are now Championship Fields C1 and C2. This allows BHS to play at full size fields. Other exciting opportunities for the entire soccer community will be created because of this cooperation!  

Looking Ahead

Even with this agreement, volunteers are always needed to run the league itself and to help with tasks at the complex. Send an email to the PCSL office for any interest, the more volunteers – the higher the quality your league will be.

We have always maintained a “to-do” list for continued complex improvements. Some of the goals include bringing electricity into the complex, lighting one or two fields, paved pathways, field size adjustments, concession stand with restroom facilities, irrigation, shelters and other items. Improvements will be completed as resources allow. If you have suggestions we would appreciate hearing from you!