Northfield has the state’s best soccer complex for a town its size, and it continues to get better. The complex is part of Spring Creek park, which is located along Jefferson Parkway on the south side of town. Thanks to the efforts of the steering committee chaired by Rick Estenson, the complex expanded last year to include the construction of Amerman Pavilion and the *WINGS Oasis (*see below. More on the Oasis in a later blog entry). The pavilion was named after local youth soccer coach Jeff Amerman. Jeff was a big contributor to Northfield’s youth soccer program, who passed on in 2005. It is a beautiful facility with room for a concession stand, a huge exterior stainless steel counter , a large sheltered picnic area, and storage for soccer equipment.
Ray Cox, owner of of Northfield Construction, volunteered his time to be the project manager for the construction of the pavilion. He contacted several local contractors to donate their time in constructing the pavilion and also organized the timetable. Phil Olson kept on e
ye on the project and kept track of the day-to-day progress.
I volunteered to oversee the landscaping for the pavilion, ( see photos, click to enlarge) which was accomplished by the efforts of several hard working volunteers. (Any of you guys interested in a job with Grove Landscaping?). Thanks to Knecht’s nursery for donating the plants. Construction started in the Spring of last year, and we finished up the landscaping with a volunteer work day in the first part of November. The work could not have been accomplished without a great group of about 15-20 volunteers.
Make sure you visit Ammerman Pavilion. and see what a great job these volunteers have done! While you’re there, take in a soccer game or two, or three…..
*WINGS (Women In Northfield Giving Support) is a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Northfield. They were instumental in making the Oasis possible. You can learn more about them by going to their website through this hyperlink.
Ready——————————Set———————————-Go!!
Thanks to the City of Northfield, Northfield Rotary Club, First National Bank, Northfield Soccer Association Northfield Hospital, Malt-O-Meal, Community Resource Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank for a major portion of the financial support for the construction of the pavilion.
Northfield Steering Committee: Rick Estenson, chair. Charlie Cogan, Jim Pokorney, Kevin O’connell, Margaret Colangelo, Curtis Tiano, Andrew Tiano, Rachael Stets.
