Brecksville will host soccer field dedication at Blossom Hill on August 9

The city of Brecksville and Sports Construction Group partnered to create this top-of-the-line artificial turf field at Blossom

After more than two years of discussion, soccer players in the city will finally be able kick their balls around on a brand new field.

At 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Brecksville officials will christen the new artificial turf field at Blossom Hill. The field was a collaboration between the city and (TigerTurf dealer) Sports Construction Group which moved to the city earlier this year.

SCG, a well-known field builder whose clients include Progressive Field and the new Yankee Stadium, will use the regulation-size, premium grade, artificial turf field as a showcase for its customers. The city will use the field for the Bees Soccer Academy which has more than 500 players.

According to Brian Stucky, soccer academy vice president, his organization is excited for the opportunity to play on the field.

“Can you say ecstatic,” Stucky said. “It’s a godsend.”

The academy formed three years ago with nine teams and a goal to add an age group every year and eventually include adult teams as well. Right now, children in the U5-U9 age groups learn basic soccer skills on a rotation system.

From U10-U14 the players participate on premier teams in the Ohio Youth Soccer State League or on travel teams in the Greater Akron Soccer Association. There are 24 teams total in the organization.

With all of that activity, the need for new fields in Brecksville was noticeable two years ago. The city looked at adding a field at Blossom Hill, but it was cost-prohibitive. Then along can SCG looking to move to the city from Cleveland and its desire to build the showcase field.

Because the field is made of turf, save for lighting which is being worked out, the field can be used every day no matter the weather condition.

“We did the economics of it,” Stucky said. “With this one turf field, it’s the same as having three fields.”

Tom Tupa, Brecksville’s recreation director, is also pleased with way the new field turned out and that it will help lessen the burden on other fields. Since the growth of the program was so huge, the academy used the baseball field outfields for practices last fall.

“It’s a great looking field,” Tupa said. “Everyone is anxious to get on there.”

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