Largest All-Turf Soccer Complex in the World Coming to Grandview

by Mary Wilson

The Grandview community will soon see a nearly $300 million project along Highway 150. A much-anticipated all-turf soccer complex, to be located between Byars and Kelley Roads, will be constructed, with games being played as early as August of 2016.

Shane Hackett, executive director of Heartland Soccer, the country’s largest soccer league, said that Heartland Soccer is scheduled to be the main tenant of the complex. The development will consist of 240 acres, currently zoned for residential housing, multi-family housing, commercial and retail.

“This is slated to be fifteen all-turf soccer fields,” said Hackett. “This is the synthetic turf that you can currently see at the Overland Park Complex and Swope Soccer Village.”

Hackett added that the benefit of the turf over grass is that the fields can be operated year-round. All of the fields will be lighted, and teams will have the opportunity to utilize the facility during the week, while games and tournaments will be played on the weekends.

“These fifteen fields will make this the largest all-turf soccer complex in the world,” said Hackett.

The fields, because of their size, can be used for multiple sports despite being soccer fields, including football and lacrosse.

The complex will also include a restaurant, hotel and retail component, catering to families while there. Due to the destination-type of events these soccer tournaments will bring, there will be a variety of eating establishments and retailers, making it a one-stop-shop for visiting families, as well as the Grandview community.

“It’s not uncommon to go and take my daughter to practice and I’m there for 90-minutes waiting, and I think it’d be great to go out and get something to eat or pick up some groceries,” said Hackett. “That’s what is being looked at here. This is truly a destination piece.”

Hackett added that some of the largest soccer tournaments in the nation are held in Kansas City, and this new complex will attract regional and national competitions. The fields themselves have been spoken for, according to Hackett, and leased out seven days per week with use beginning as early as August 1, 2016.

The Grandview community is invited to attend the official announcement for the development on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. at The View.

“After last week's announcement that Truman Corners is being redeveloped, it is great to inform Grandview residents that this major development is being announced this week,” said Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones. “The northern part of Grandview and the southern part of Grandview are being developed simultaneously. Great things are happening in Grandview.”