Big news for soccer fans! The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles just unveiled their brand-new home turf at Jerome’s Founders Park. After years of planning and partnership, this state-of-the-art facility is finally ready for action. What impact will this dedicated field have on CSI’s teams and the community?

The College of Southern Idaho’s athletic program marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its dedicated soccer facility at Jerome’s Founders Park, officially providing a long-awaited home for the Golden Eagles.

This momentous occasion culminated years of meticulous planning and collaborative effort, bringing to fruition a shared vision for a state-of-the-art sporting venue that will serve both the collegiate teams and the wider Jerome community. The new athletic field promises to be a cornerstone for future sports endeavors.

The unveiling featured prominent local and institutional figures, including CSI athletic director Daequon Montreal, Jerome Mayor Dave Davis, and CSI President Dean Fisher, all underscoring the powerful partnership between the City of Jerome and the College of Southern Idaho that fueled this ambitious project.

What began as the three-acre Candle Light Park in May 2023 has been spectacularly transformed into an expansive 17-acre complex, meticulously designed to meet the rigorous standards of college-level play while offering significant recreational opportunities for the community development.

For coaches like CSI women’s soccer head coach Andrew Zaleski, the new facility represents more than just a playing field; it embodies a sense of belonging and institutional pride, offering a true “home” adorned with CSI’s colors and logos, ready to be defended by its inaugural teams.

The realization of this project was supported by crucial funding from the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency and the American Rescue Plan, demonstrating a collective commitment to community recovery and development, despite initial construction roadblocks faced after groundbreaking in summer 2023 in Jerome, Idaho.

CSI’s direct investment covered significant upgrades, including fencing, a scoreboard, spectator stands, and essential maintenance equipment, ensuring the facility’s top-tier quality. While the Jerome Recreation District will manage operations, the long-term vision includes hosting recreational leagues and potentially high school tournaments, expanding its community impact beyond collegiate play.

As the Golden Eagles prepare to make this CSI Soccer field their own, they do so with the full backing of the community, symbolized by Mayor Davis’s ceremonial declaration, “This is your field,” echoing the collective pride and high hopes for a successful era of College Sports at Founders Park.