DECATUR — The new Veterans Park Soccer Complex in Decatur is one step closer to completion, thanks to a donation from one of the town's newest businesses, Dollar General.
Last June, the city of Decatur, with the help of grants and budgeted park department funds, built a regulation-size soccer complex on the west side of Veterans Park between Edmiston Park ball field and Arkansas Highway 102.
The complex was constructed for the Decatur Youth Soccer program to give Decatur youth a place to host games, tournaments and scrimmages without having to travel to either Gentry or Siloam Springs to be part of a team. There are currently 90 registered members enrolled in the Decatur Youth Soccer program.
Since the field was completed in Sept. of 2016, the city was looking for donations to purchase new goals and a fence (to keep soccer balls from hitting cars along Highway 102). The cost of the goals is $2,450, with the fence cost at $7,600. The total cost of completing the project will be $10,050.
"Recently, Dollar General approached me and asked what projects in town they could participate with," said Bob Tharp, Decatur's mayor. "The soccer field was one I felt would impact those 90 players and their families quickly."
On July 19, Tharp was contacted by Matt Cooper, Dollar General regional manager, informing the city that the Dollar General Corporation was going to donate $1,000 towards the soccer field equipment. Two days later, on July 21, Tharp, along with James Boston, director of public works, met with Cooper and Scott Frazier, Decatur store manager, to accept the donation at the store.
"We had this chance to partner with Decatur on something that seemed really cool for the soccer program and to see what we can do as a district to make this possible," said Cooper. "We are exited about it and excited to see where the city goes with it."
The city continues to accept donations toward the project and anyone wishing to donate may contact the city clerks' office at 479-752-3912.
"I want to thank Matt, Scott and Dollar General for their support with this awesome gift," Tharp said. "Our community will appreciate this for years to come."
General News on 07/26/2017