A Letter from the Director : Independence Sport Park

From Executive Director, Collin Box -

In early 2025, our board gathered to set strategic goals as we continue pursuing our mission of being “more than a soccer club.”

Over the past several years, we’ve seen incredible growth at Capital Futbol Club. Participation has grown from about 2,000 players before COVID to nearly 7,000 players in 2025. Our commitment has remained the same through that growth: to provide meaningful, high-quality soccer experiences for players at every level - from first-time grassroots players to those pursuing college opportunities.

We are deeply grateful for the strong home we have built at our State Street campus. At the same time, our growth has required us - both out of necessity and intention - to look beyond one location to better serve our families. As we’ve planned for the future, we’ve asked a simple question: How can we make our programs more accessible to the families we already serve?

When we studied where our players live, we discovered that more than 1,000 CFC players call Polk County home. Nearly 500 of those families are in West Salem, with many others coming from Monmouth, Independence, and Dallas. For years, these families have made a significant commute to participate in our programs.

As we began exploring how to better support those families, we started having conversations in Polk County. Through discussions with parents, community members, and local leaders, we consistently heard the same thing: families were looking for more opportunities for kids to participate in positive, well-organized youth sports closer to home.

Those conversations eventually connected us with the City of Independence. In our discussions with city staff, school representatives, and local families, we found a strong shared desire to expand opportunities for youth and families in the Monmouth-Independence area.

The City made us aware that Independence Sports Park was available for purchase. Given the alignment we were already seeing and the needs we were hearing about, we felt it was worth exploring whether this could be a long-term, community-centered opportunity. While nothing is finalized, we are currently in discussions with the City of Independence about a potential purchase. We expect the process to take time, and we are approaching it thoughtfully and patiently.

If this moves forward, our vision is simple: to partner with the City and the community to use soccer as a tool for youth development, connection, and community strength. We want to help more kids get involved in positive activities, support local families, and contribute to the vibrancy of the area.

Any presence we build in Independence will happen gradually and in close collaboration with local partners. We are already in conversation with groups such as the Central School District, the Monmouth-Independence YMCA, and other community organizations. We have also formed an Independence Advisory Committee made up of local voices, because we believe programs should reflect the identity, needs, and values of the community itself.

This is an exciting possibility, but it is a long-term one. Our rollout would be measured and intentional, allowing us to continue investing in our existing programs - including completion of the Jason Sharp Center this summer - while building something healthy and sustainable in Independence over time.

We’re grateful for the trust families place in us and for the opportunity to keep growing in ways that strengthen kids, families, and communities.

Better soccer. Better people. Stronger community.

—

Collin Box
Executive Director
Capital Futbol Club