Lovers Lane Soccer Complex turf project underway

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – An upcoming project that Bowling Green Parks and Recreation has in the works is sure to fill soccer fans with excitement.

BG Parks and Rec is planning an installation of two new turf fields at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex, coming this winter. What does this mean for the community? Simple, more soccer year-round.

When asked about the new turf fields, coaching director at Sky Soccer Club Zach Salchli said that they will allow people to play year-round, no matter the weather conditions.

“You know, Bowling Green weather is unpredictable. And so this gives us a constant surface to play on and really opens up the opportunities to bring more events here to Bowling Green, to do more training year-round. Just all sorts of stuff,” Salchil said.

The plan for the fields was set back in 2024 and hit a bit of a bump back in July of this year due to the rain from April opening up a sinkhole near the complex. Once that was cleared up and all other hurdles were passed, it was time to get to work.

The next few months will be a glimpse into the future as parks and rec plans on building six more turf fields in the city over the next three years.

“Yeah, these are exciting times,” Bowling Green Parks and Recreation director Brent Belcher said when talking about the plans for the next three years. “It’s two for the next three years. So, FY 25, 26 and 27 is our goal to have six turf fields introduced in our community as a whole. This is the first two.”

The nearly $2 million installation will not only make grounds keeping easier but will also make the game more accessible to the community. The new turf will encourage the community to come out and play, no matter the time of year.

“So now it gives access to people who can play, community members to come out, enjoy soccer without having to worry about, ‘hey, am I messing up a field? Am I doing this?’ And so it’s opening up doors for more people in our community to get access to the game,” Salchli said.

The plan is to start the installation this winter and have both fields playable in January of 2026.