San Juan del Sur Sports Park
The local basketball court of San Juan del Sur was remodeled and revitalized with a multi-use court and full time program administration in 2006. This Project is led by Comunidad Connect and Fundacion A. Jean Brugger, endorsed by the Municipal Government and frequently supported by the private sector of San Juan del Sur.
During its first years of operation, this Sports Park has made tremendous strides. It launched with one men’s soccer league, comprised of ten teams. Soccer programming has since taken off. The park currently coordinates two men’s soccer leagues and during the two-month season, it park hosts four games, four nights per week. These sporting events attract, on average, over 200 spectators of all ages, providing the local community with evenings of fun, entertainment and music. The popularity of the soccer leagues has extended to the nearby city of Rivas, where game results are broadcast on local radio.
In addition to coordinating a volleyball league for students, the park hosts two international and two national women’s volleyball tournaments annually. In April 2008, the park hosted the women’s soccer finals for a neighboring community’s league.
The park has added a soccer league for children, comprised of six teams, and a basketball league, comprised of seven teams. The park employs five soccer referees, three volleyball referees and four basketball referees. Twelve corporate sponsors support the park and receive prominent advertising space along the back walls of the bleachers.
Ongoing needs
Additional support is needed to enable continued programming growth and infrastructure improvements. Sports equipment and resources for park maintenance and utilities are ongoing needs. The construction of a roof, to enable games to continue during the rainy season, is a major initiative that park administrators hope to pursue in the near future.
Amounts that can make a difference:
- Score Board - $250
- Security Lights - $300
- New Entrance - $700
- Vending Kiosk - $500
- Bathroom and office supplies - $50/a month
- Uniforms/Jerseys - $125/team
- Game balls(volleyball,basketball,soccer) - $ 25 each
- Program Administrator - $200/a month
