Above L-R) Mitch Kingsley and Ben Stahl, council members; Mayor Richard Johnson, Paul Inniger, Takeo (Tony) Endoh, Joe Brinkman of SumiRiko, Ohio; and Ashley Gleason, Tyler Gleason and Jonnathan Bonifaz.
SumiRiko of Ohio, Bluffton Soccer Club and Village of Bluffton collaboration
By Paula Pyzik Scott
On September 26 ground was broken on the Bluffton Soccer Complex to be developed on land donated by and adjacent to SumiRiko Ohio on Snider Rd near the Bluffton Community Pool and Bluffton YMCA.
In addition to the ceremonial turning of a shovelful of dirt–and in this case nine shovelfuls of dirt–participants from SumiRiko, The Village of Bluffton and the Bluffton Soccer Club celebrated their teamwork with a soccer-style hands-together cheer to kick off the ceremonies.
Joe Brinkman, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations at SumiRiko, told those assembled that “We are very proud to be part of this community for 36 years.” He noted that SumiRiko’s president in Japan, Mr. Kazushi Shimazu, and Mr. Takeo Endoh, president of SumiRiko Ohio, were very happy and honored to be able to donate this land, and that “we look forward to seeing the youth in this area use this soccer complex and continue to grow.”
Tyler Gleason spoke on behalf of the Bluffton Soccer Club: “Thank you for making it a priority in Bluffton for youth soccer, youth sports and recreation in general. We are very excited for this project.” He said that the first phase of development will see kids playing at this location, hopefully by Fall 2025.
The land was donated by SumiRiko Ohio in March 2023 and fundraising efforts by the Bluffton Soccer Club officially kicked off in August 2024. Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn noted that official discussions on the collaboration began some three years ago.
However, conversations at the groundbreaking ceremonies reveal this is the realization of a long desired plan. Club soccer has been in Bluffton since the early 1980s and ideas for a soccer complex were floated some 20 years ago, according to the soccer club and Bluffton YMCA representatives.
Finding a location had been the biggest stumbling block. The 10-acre site on Snider Rd. will allow the Bluffton Soccer Club to provide U8, U10 and U12 fields in one location. This not only makes it easier for families to get children to practices and games, it will benefit referees and those coming to Bluffton for games.
The club also notes that the complex will bring revenue to the community as a site for tournaments and 12 other teams.
Current plans are to develop the complex in three phases with a total estimated cost of $1.5 million. When all is completed, the complex will have seven soccer fields, parking, a shelter house, concessions, bathrooms, a 1-mile walking/biking path and a playground.
According to the Bluffton Soccer Club website, there is space for additional expansion, which could include U15 fields and possibly pickleball/futsol courts. Plans (subject to change) and FAQs are listed on the website HERE.
