The Perry Parks and Recreation Department will be constructing a brand new structure at a local park later this summer.

According to Deputy Parks and Rec Director Becky Halling, the organization is working on building a Mini-Pitch Court to Pattee Park for people to enjoy. She explains that there is a smaller version located behind Perry Elementary at Wiese Park that has a mini soccer arena, but the new one will be doubled in size, and be an interchangeable place alternating between soccer and basketball. Halling details that the flooring will be blue tiles with white lines and sport the Perry Bluejay logo in the middle. She elaborates on the factors that led to the decision to install the new Mini-Pitch Court.

“Due to last year’s incident in January, Musco (Sports) Lighting reached out and they were wanting to do something for the City of Perry. They had reached out to the school first, but since the school already has a mini-pitch, they directed their attention more towards the City of Perry. We didn’t have a great location, but we knew in Pattee Park by the bandshell, we had that old sand volleyball pit that was no longer being used, so we knew that was the location that we wanted to use. So through fundraising, and grants, and obviously just the city helping as well, we were able to move forward with putting down some concrete.”

Halling notes that Perry Parks and Rec Department is working alongside the Heart of America Musco Sports Lighting, Harlan Concrete, Castillo Construction, Hughes Excavation, and Curt’s Electric on the project. As far as the timeline goes, she says that it will be weather based, but the plan is pour concrete in early to middle July, then put in the Mini-Pitch Court in early to mid-August, and hope to be open to the public by the end of August.