MANCHESTER, N.H. – Local dignitaries and soccer aficionados gathered at Sheehan-Basquil Park on Thursday for the official ribbon-cutting for the first of two new soccer mini-pitch facilities in Manchester.
The mini-pitch, taking the spot of the former Adam Curtis Skate Park, is the 25th built across North America by Southern New Hampshire University in partnership with Major League Soccer, MLS Works and the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
“Manchester is and always will be SNHU’s home base,” Patty Lynott, campus president of Southern New Hampshire University. “We’re just thrilled to open this mini-pitch in our own backyard, our hope is that this soccer field will give local youth a safe place to play and also have a positive impact on the community.”
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig was also on hand for the ribbon cutting, speaking on the importance of the court to the local community.
“This field is meeting the needs of youth and our community,” she said. “Now we have a place where students from Beech Street School and Wilson Street School and those youths who live in the neighborhood can come and walk to and play in a world-class mini pitch.”
The mini-pitch is the beginning of upcoming updates to Sheehan-Basquil Park yet to be determined, with Mayor Craig asking members of the community to provide their input on the future of the park as the process unfolds.
A second mini-pitch is expected to be constructed on Manchester’s West Side at a future date.