Timbers, adidas present $40,000 donation for new Chapman School field

PORTLAND, Ore. — At a groundbreaking ceremony at Chapman School in Northwest Portland this afternoon, representatives from the Portland Timbers, adidas and the city of Portland presented youth players from Hillside Soccer Club a check for $40,000 to help build a new AstroTurf field.

Timbers President Merritt Paulson, Timbers Chief Operating Officer Mike Golub, adidas America President Patrik Nilsson, adidas America Director of Soccer Antonio Zea, adidas MLS Manager Ernesto Bruce and City of Portland Policy Director Jim Blackwood were all on hand to take part in the ceremony.

With the $20,000 contribution, the Timbers have now donated $50,000 toward building new soccer fields in the Portland area in 2011.

“Chapman School is a terrific opportunity to provide many people in our community with a great field for play,” said Paulson.

Last week, the Timbers and adidas joined forces to donate $20,000 to help build a new field at James John Elementary School in North Portland.

“Playing sports in an organized club or an after-school pick-up game can positively impact kids’ lives by fostering teamwork and an active lifestyle,” said Nilsson. “We are pleased to partner with the Timbers to build soccer fields that enable more access to the game for kids throughout Portland.”

The community fundraising effort, called “Just a Field,” raised the remainder of the funding for the project. Once completed in September, the field will be dedicated as the Steve Brand Field to honor the memory of the beloved Chapman School teacher who passed away from cancer in December.

The field will be utilized by Chapman School students for recess and physical education classes, Hillside Soccer Club’s home field, Lincoln Little League Baseball and the Audubon Society of Portland’s swift watchers, which observe the annual migration of swifts each September.