Jean Gordon
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 12:58 pm
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Less than 24 hours after an official ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was held at the new $17.4 million Legacy Soccer Park in Forest City, young athletes gathered early Saturday morning to begin playing soccer and making memories to last a lifetime.
Jubilation, excitement and plenty of thankfulness were expressed during the ceremony led by Jill Miracle, RHI Legacy Foundation Executive Director.
Forest City Town Manager Janet Mason -- flanked by town, county and and RHI Legacy Foundation officials -- had the honor of cutting the ribbon as hundreds gathered to witness the long awaited day. After the ribbon cutting, guest teams from Gardner-Webb University and local teams began playing soccer.
Later in her remarks to the crowd, Mason said, "we're kicking off something very special." She said the park will connect one another, develop youth and provide strength for the community and a future of opportunities.
The Park promises to serve as an economic engine for Rutherford County as it brings notoriety across North Carolina and the Southeast, said spokespeople at the event.
Funding for the 60-acre soccer complex, located off Piney Ridge Road, came from the RHI Legacy Foundation, the State of North Carolina, Tourism Development Authority/Rutherford Bound, Rutherford County and the Town of Forest City, which will operate and maintain the park moving forward.
The complex, the new official home of the Rutherford County Soccer Association (RCSA), includes six full size soccer fields, including a championship-grade artificial turf field and five natural turf fields. The park also includes two mini-urban soccer pitches, sports field lighting and family-friendly amenities and a soccer-themed playground for all children.
Terry Hines, who served as executive director of RHI Legacy Foundation during the six-year project process, thanked every person and organization "who made sure this happened." He described the park as a high quality complex, thanking every generous funding partner in bringing the park to reality.
The process began March 9, 2020 with a meeting among community leaders and from that day until Friday, March 20, the work continued toward bringing the dream of a state-of-the-art soccer complex to a reality.
Among members of RHI Legacy Foundation, attending included Board Chair Jimmy Dancy, Judy Bond, John Condrey, Kerry Giles and Cindy Buck.
"We are exceptionally thankful for the vision...thank you for your partnerships here today," said Dancy.
Eric Woolridge, President of Destination by Design, said the design team and visionaries knew they wanted to do something on the 60 acre property that would make Rutherford County proud.
Beam Construction's President Justin Boheler said the park was the culmination of everyone on the design team and construction team pulling together.
"We have done a lot of work in Rutherford County...and what a great experience," Boheler said.
"This is a wonderful day to be in Rutherford County particularly here in Forest City," said Rutherford County Commission Chair Bryan King. He acknowledged the partnerships formed in celebration of statesmanship, leadership, vision and a mutual commitment to the community.
"I believe this partnership (county, municipal and state governments) will be one of the greatest legacies of this Park," King continued.
"By leveraging mutual resources, talents, time and abilities, we were able to achieve a recreation park such as this in our community for our youth and their guests," King said.
He thanked the NC General Assembly, Rutherford County TDA and Rutherford Bound for their part in funding the project, recognizing TDA's Don Cason, Rep. Jake Johnson, Senator Tim Moffitt and former Congressman Tim Moore.
"Soon these fields will be full of players and full of friends and family, children laughing, walkers walking. The vision is a reality. The day is here, " King added.
Forest City Mayor Steve Holland said, "This is so much more than a soccer park. Families can come here to make memories to last a lifetime."
Elliott Byers, president of the Rutherford County Soccer Association, also expressed his gratitude stating soccer teams and players will learn valuable life lessons on the field. It will be a good game whether you win or lose."
Cason called the new soccer park an awesome opportunity to promote tourism and the economy, bringing visitors for overnight stays while coming to play soccer. "This is for you," he said to all who will play on the soccer fields and visit the complex.
As Jill Miracle thanked every person attending, she again recognized Terry Hines for his ongoing work and being instrumental in RHI Legacy Foundation's support of the complex.
Miracle said although the soccer complex is located off Piney Ridge Road, she told the crowd, the road is now the Terry Hines Circle, named to honor Hines.
Friends and families lingered at the complex for more than an hour as soccer teams took to the fields.
When Saturday morning arrived, as Mason said in her remarks the day before, teams arrived to kick off the soccer season at one of the finest soccer fields in the southeast.