STURGIS – The City of Sturgis and the Sturgis Soccer Association are collaborating on plans for a possible new soccer complex east of Sturgis just past Sturgis Brown High School and Fort Meade off Highway 34. 

On Monday, the Sturgis City Council approved the submission of a letter of interest to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to initiate a Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) lease process for the potential development of new public soccer facility on federal land near the existing Sturgis softball fields.

The action authorizes the city to formally express interest in using BLM-managed land for expansion opportunities for the soccer facilities. Growing participation has led to space constraints at the current complex on Lazelle Street in Sturgis.

“I think it’s great,” Sturgis City Council President Alex Usera said of the potential expansion.

Sturgis Soccer Association President Richelle Bruch addressed the council, outlining the need for additional space and the benefits expanded facilities could bring to both players and the broader community.

“Our current complex has simply been outgrown,” Bruch said. “On average, we host about 90 teams during our fall and spring tournaments, and for the last three years we’ve had to close registration because we don’t have the space to safely accommodate all the teams and players who want to participate.”

Bruch noted that approximately 300 local children participate in fall and spring soccer each season, in addition to visiting teams drawn to Sturgis for tournaments. Limited field availability has also created challenges during the fall season, when the association shares space with Sturgis Brown High School boys and girls soccer teams.

“With more space, we could support our recreational and club programs while also giving the high school teams room to practice simultaneously instead of staggering schedules,” Bruch said. “It would make better sense for everyone involved.”

Conceptual plans included in the city’s application materials show an initial phase that would add one additional full-size field comparable to the existing complex, with a long-term vision of expanding to a total of four times the current size over multiple phases.

“That level of growth wouldn’t happen overnight,” Bruch said. “But over time, it would allow us to potentially triple our tournament capacity and continue building a quality, safe soccer program for our community.”

Bruch also emphasized the economic impact of soccer tournaments, which draw teams, families, and spectators to Sturgis.

“Even adding just a couple more teams per tournament results in a noticeable increase in hotel stays, restaurant traffic, and downtown shopping,” she said. “Local businesses regularly tell us tournament weekends feel like a mini Rally.”

While no formal economic impact study has been completed, Bruch said the association stays in close contact with local businesses and city staff and proactively shares tournament schedules so businesses can staff appropriately.

Funding for any future development would rely on a combination of fundraising, partnerships, and potential grant opportunities. Bruch stressed that the association does not expect the full cost of the project to be borne by taxpayers.

“We’ve been fundraising for several years and already have funds dedicated to facility improvements,” Bruch said. “We are committed to investing in this project ourselves. This is a community program, and we want to be responsible partners in making it happen.”

The BLM review process is expected to take one to three years. If the R&PP lease is approved, the proposal would return to the city for further planning, design, and public discussion before any development moves forward.

The council approved the submission of the letter of interest unanimously.

Click here for the proposed layout of the new complex