Approximately 80 students participated in futsal clinics today with players from Sporting Kansas City to celebrate the official opening of new futsal courts in Wyandotte County. Mayor Mark Holland was joined by Sporting Club's Chief of Staff Greg Cotton, local government officials and community groups for a ribbon cutting ceremony held today at Welborn Park.

"These futsal courts will bring life back to many of our parks that that have fallen into disrepair," said Holland, Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. "The investment by Sporting Club in our community will have a long-term value by cultivating local soccer talent and by providing healthier recreational options for our youth."

The new futsal courts that officially open today are located at Bethany Park, Highland Park, Westheight Park and Welborn Park. In addition to the two courts located at Wyandotte High School, there will be a total of nine court locations in each commission district when the project is completed. The remaining four court locations are currently being built and scheduled to open in Spring 2016.

"Sporting Kansas City has become an integral part of Wyandotte County and these futsal courts provide another way for Sporting Club to give back to the community with a public asset that is available to all," Cotton said. "We have seen a tremendous response to the futsal courts built at Wyandotte County High School two years ago and we are thrilled to now expand the futsal footprint with eight new locations in neighborhoods throughout Kansas City, Kansas."

The new futsal courts are part of Sporting Club's vision to transform Kansas City into a preeminent model for soccer development and training. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, the new futsal courts will give the community more exposure to futsal -- a small-sided variant of soccer that is played around the world.

The new futsal courts will provide a safe and more accessible venue for community use. Future clinics and programs can be held in Wyandotte County to help educate players, coaches and referees on playing, officiating and understanding the game.

"I'm excited to see the commitment Sporting KC has made to the community come into reality! We have a great partnership and these courts are a nice example of what public/private partnerships can produce for our community," says Melissa Bynum, Unified Government Commissioner.

The project, funded by Sporting Club, involved the installation of a new chain link fence, removal of nets/poles, patch and repair work on old tennis court surfaces and the installation of durable, permanent goals at each location.

The futsal court model is a revision of the initial development agreement between the Unified Government and Sporting Kansas City. The original plan required the construction of three recreational grass soccer fields. In lieu of the original plan, the modification to the development agreement and recent approval by the Commission to proceed with land acquisition and construction of a new soccer facility will allow for an even greater long-term investment by providing additional structured programming for the youth in our community.