By Marisa Dawson
The sound of whistles and cheering players filled the air Friday evening as the Bennington Soccer Club and City of Bennington officially celebrated a major milestone in the Neumeyer Farm Park project.
At 5:30 p.m. on April 10, community members, city leaders, Chamber of Commerce members, and soccer families gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of Phase 1 of the new soccer complex. Fittingly, as the ribbon was cut, players were already on the field, putting the new fields into action during live match play.
Bennington Mayor Clint Adams emphasized the broader impact of the project on the community. “This project represents more than just a new field,” Adams said. “It’s an investment in our kids, our families, and the future of recreation in our community.”
Adams also highlighted the key contributors who helped bring the vision to life, including donor Nancy Neumeyer and the Bennington Soccer Club. “I want to sincerely thank Nancy Neumeyer and her family for their generosity and vision in making this park possible,” he said. “Their commitment will create opportunities and memories for generations to come.”
The project is far from finished. Adams noted that Phase 2 is already on the horizon. “Phase two will go out to bid this summer, which will add some more fields and walking paths, further expanding access to recreation and bringing even greater value to our community,” he said.
For the Bennington Soccer Club, the new fields represent both growth and opportunity. Board President Justin Hughes said the additional space will be transformative for the organization. “I think it’s wonderful,” Hughes said. “I think it gives us the opportunity to continue to grow.”
He explained that the complex will allow the club to expand not only practices and games, but also long-term sustainability. “It gives our club space to be able to not only train, but play, but also provide sustainability through the course of the year,” Hughes said. “We all know that Nebraska weather can be suspect, so it gives us much more versatility.”
The added capacity will also allow the club to host more events and attract teams from beyond the local area. “It allows us to host more games here and be a very attractive club for not only other teams in Nebraska, but especially as we try to grow our tournament,” Hughes said.
During the ceremony, Hughes reflected on the journey of the project and the momentum it has built. “To see it really kick off the ground, see the funding coming together from various sources, various entities into bid, and then to actually see the project come to fruition is very cool,” he said.
That momentum is expected to continue as the project expands. “As we move into phase two of this project and more than double the fields in this part of town, again, it gets back to our original point of just getting more opportunities and more space for our players to be able to play and train,” Hughes said.
The evening also carried emotional significance for Nancy Neumeyer (pictured below with her family), whose land donation made the project possible. She shared that the park holds deep personal meaning for her family. “Oh goodness, it makes me emotional,” Neumeyer said. “It’s really in honor of my husband and his parents… My husband was born in the town of Bennington, and this just means everything.”
She added that seeing the fields in use was especially rewarding. “And seeing the kids play, that’s wonderful,” she said. “I can’t wait until more things get developed on the land.”
Future plans for the park include additional fields, walking trails, and amenities like concessions and restrooms. The project is also expected to bring economic benefits to the community. Bennington Chamber of Commerce President Felicia Weaver noted the impact of hosting tournaments and large events. “When we obviously are bringing in hundreds and thousands of people for soccer tournaments, it’s going to not only benefit the park and everything, but it’s going to benefit our businesses,” Weaver said.
As part of the celebration, the Bennington Soccer Club also recognized three seniors—Camryn Kinworthy, Maggie Tefft, and Mia Korth—who have spent their entire club careers in the program, awarding them scholarships.
For the players, the new complex represents a legacy for future generations. “It’s an opportunity for more kids to enjoy the sport and learn to love it, just like we did when we were younger,” said Korth.
Tefft reflected on how meaningful it is for younger players to now have a place to call home. “We never really had a field that we could call our own,” she said. “I think for the younger kids in the club now, like they have their own fields and that’ll be something that they can grow on.”
Kinworthy, who has played with the club for 15 years, spoke about the personal impact of the program. “I’ve grown up through the score as an athlete and as a person,” she said. “It’s taught me so many good life values like dedication and resilience.”
As Phase 1 officially opens and Phase 2 approaches, the Neumeyer Farm Park project is already proving to be more than just a sports complex. With players on the field and a growing community behind it, the project is laying the foundation for years of athletic development, community connection, and local pride.
