Nikon Soccer asks Thompson commission to pursue field assessment after $800,000 estimate

Missy Case, a representative of Nikon Soccer, told the Thompson Recreation Commission the club serves about 1,000 children across multiple towns and that its existing fields are “borderline dangerous.” She said recent fundraising, including a color run, netted roughly $12,000 to seed facility efforts.

The commission and Nikon discussed a Yukon group estimate of about $800,000 to completely renovate two full-size fields at Bull Hill; members described the figure as “sticker shock” and urged a more detailed assessment. "I could not believe that that's how much it costs and and was that for like the entire field?" Case said when reacting to the prior estimate. Commissioners suggested partial upgrades, exploring turf instead of grass, or locating a new town-owned parcel. They asked Nikon to help identify volunteers and for staff to coordinate with the Economic Development Commission on potential assessors before the next budget cycle.

Commissioners agreed to pursue an assessment and the possibility of forming a small subcommittee to vet cost estimates and locations. The discussion emphasized getting an independent cost analysis before making any capital requests in the upcoming budget season.