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Middleton Soccer Club seeks new multi‑sport park; council notes land tied to wastewater pilot
Summary
The Middleton Soccer Club urged the council to prioritize converting an alfalfa field into a multi‑sport park to meet growing demand; staff and council said the piece of land is currently part of a wastewater-treatment pilot and not immediately available.
Middleton Soccer Club President Tom Morford asked the City Council to prioritize development of an identified parcel—estimated informally at about 40 acres—as a permanent multi‑sport park to serve rising youth sports participation.
"We serve around 450 youth players every season," Morford said, describing the club as a volunteer-led nonprofit that fields roughly 42 teams and currently operates across multiple city parks. He said centralized grass fields, parking and facilities would reduce scheduling conflicts and support tournaments that bring economic activity to Middleton.
Council members thanked the club for the presentation but said the parcel Morford described is currently used in a pilot wastewater treatment program. Public Works Director Jason Pagieler told the council the city controls roughly 80 acres in the area near South Cemetery Road and that the alfalfa grown there serves the wastewater pilot. "That alfalfa down there isn't just grown to be grown. It's part of our wastewater treatment system, pilot project that we're doing," Pagieler said, and he added the city needs that acreage for the pilot.
Council members and staff discussed alternatives, including looking for other parcels or negotiating leases, but said any park development would likely be a long‑term project requiring substantial parking and utility investment. Councilman Ridge confirmed the club's estimate of about 40 acres was an informal figure provided by residents rather than a finalized parcel size.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; council asked staff to continue exploring options and to keep the club informed of land-availability discussions.
