Richmond Strikers break ground on expansion of Striker Park in Glen Allen

The Richmond Strikers this week celebrated the commencement of construction on improvements to their Striker Park complex on Pouncey Tract Road in Glen Allen.

The $5.5 million project, supported by a five-year, $1.75 million grant from Henrico County, will add offices, futsal fields, parking, locker and meeting rooms and storage to the park. The offices will house tournament headquarters as well, helping to expand the organization's nationally recognized Jefferson Cup tournament, which attracted more than 1,800 youth teams from 36 states to the region in March.

The project is expected to be completed by late 2025.

“There's so many people who come here and are blown away by this facility,” said Richmond Strikers President John Mumford. “They play soccer all over the United States, and they come here for Jefferson Cup, and to a person – every time – [ask] where did you all get this facility? How does this facility come to be? And it came to be because of peoplesaying, ‘We want a place for our kids to play soccer,’ and a county that supported us. We are a Henrico club, and we’ll always be a Henrico club.”

A Nov. 20 groundbreaking ceremony at Striker Park included Henrico County officials, club families, coaches, staff, and board members, among others, as well as a ceremonial "first dig."

Three Chopt District Supervisor Misty Roundtree said the county’s support was an “easy ask” given the nonprofitStrikers’ extensive record of supporting and developing youth and their families through soccer. She said, as a parent, she knows the visitor experience matters.

“It also matters to the kids when they see the investment that is being put into their experience, and they know that it matters to the community as to what their experience is,” she said.

The futsal courts at the facility will provide year-round access for players to train and hone their skills indoors. Futsal is similar to soccer but uses a heavier ball and is a faster-paced game played in a smaller setting.

“The Striker Park project is a massive step forward in creating a stronger community connection and it represents our long-term commitment to youth sports,” said Richmond Strikers Executive Director Jay Howell. “Our new office building and futsal courts will enhance our ability to better serve Richmond’s athletes as well as improve an already fantastic facility where players, families, and fans enjoy the beautiful game.”​

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas noted that the grant funding comes from local hotel tax revenues, which are surging thanks to tournaments and events like the Jefferson Cup.

“Revenues from sports tourism are coming in faster than they ever have,” he said, “and I think that's going to benefit every resident and business in this county going forward.”