The free press
MANKATO — The new soccer field on Bethany campus has a new name.
Scheels Field at Bethany Lutheran College will host Bethany Vikings football and will also host a series of other community sporting events, including high school sporting events featuring schools from across southern Minnesota.
There is also an 84,000 square foot activity and wellness center currently under construction adjacent to the grounds. Mayo Clinic Health System earlier announced a partnership with Bethany on the wellness center project.
The partnership with Scheels was announced Monday by Bethany and the private sporting and entertainment store headquartered in Fargo. The company has 31 stores in 14 states, including its Mankato store at River Hills Mall, which opened in 1969.
“Scheels is an important part of Mankato that has served the area for over half a century and is a tremendous asset to the Mankato community through both its first retail store and ongoing support of various community causes and projects. “said Bethany President Gene Pfeifer. said in a statement.
Bethany said that beyond providing a home for Bethany Sports and Students, they envision Scheels Field and the Activity and Wellness Center as a quality, affordable, health and recreation space. interior and exterior for the Mankato region.
Brandon Scheel, Mankato store manager, said in a statement that Bethany is a well-managed organization with strong leadership and a positive impact on the community.
“We want to work with partners who will make a difference in people’s lives. Bethany does this every day.
The multi-phase upgrade of athletics facilities began with Bethany signing a lease with the city of Mankato in 2018 to host the Vikings baseball team at city-owned Franklin Rogers Park. This has made room for the next wellness center and for the creation of a $1.6 million artificial turf football pitch, which debuted in 2019, as part of a project of $3 million which also included a storm water retention pond.
Once the wellness center is complete, renovations are planned for Ronald Younge Gymnasium, the larger of Bethany’s two gymnasiums and home to everything from basketball and volleyball games to opening ceremonies. .
