Midwest City Soccer Complex upgrades on the way

By Jeff Harrison
Managing Editor

The Midwest City Soccer Club complex is getting a facelift.

City leaders last week approved a contract to regrade existing fields and install a new irrigation system and lighting.

The project will focus on five fields on the northeast portion of the complex. The ground is currently terraced with fields at different levels. The ground will be regradedto create one larger area that can be used in multiple configurations.

Mid America Sports Construction was awarded the construction contract with a bid of $888,998. The city received four total bids, with all but one coming under the engineer’s estimate of $1.1 million.

Construction on the fields will begin in early April. The project is expected to be completed by September.

“We felt it would be best to have the contractor ready to deploy and as soon as they can release these fields to the contractor,” said Vaughn Sullivan, assistant city manager. “We felt that April would be an optimal time because Bermuda grass needs late summer growth to play in the fall.”

Matt Mercer, director of operations for the Midwest City Soccer Club, said the project was scheduled during that time to minimize disruptions for the soccer club.  He said they can continue using the other fields at the complex as well as those at the Multi-Athletic Complex (MAC).

“Our spring season goes until the middle of May so we’ll have to move games around for 4-6 weeks,” he said. “And then we just have summer camps.”

The project is part of a 2018 general obligation bond issue.

Councilwoman Susan Eads said she was disappointed that the city did not receive bids from any local contractors or subcontractors.  City attorney Don Maische said it is difficult to require contractors to disclose their subcontractors during the bidding process.

“My position is the same as when I’ve raised this before,” Eads said. “We are also not required to approve contracts until they notify us who the subcontractors are. Based on our experience with other projects and the failures of those subcontractors, I think it’s important that we require contractors to put forward their sub(contractors). But I’m just one vote.”

Brandon Bundy, Midwest City’s director of engineering and construction services, said he is not aware of any local companies that offer specialized services needed for the project.

The Midwest City Soccer Club is a private non-profit organization that leases fields from the City of Midwest City. The league includes recreational, academy and competitive level teams. They have about 700 players from age 4 through high school. They host camps and two large tournaments and regular games.