This image shows the conceptual design of the JBS Soccer Complex that will be built east of the soccer fields near Westview Park and Paulsen Field using a $300,000 grant from JBS USA. The complex will include a full size soccer field, two practice fields and a playground. Image contributed by the city of Pipestone
Representatives of JBS, the city of Pipestone and the Pipestone community gathered Thursday, Sept. 3 for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new JBS Soccer Complex that will be built east of the softball fields by Westview Park and Paulsen Field using a $300,000 donation from JBS. Pictured are (l-to-r) Administrative Assistant Kayla Smith, JBS Pipestone Plant Human Resources Manager Mandi Kuehl, Pipestone Plant Manager Diane Hamersma, President of JBS USA Pork Bob Krebs, Pipestone Mayor Myron Koets, JBS USA CEO Andre Nogueira, Pipestone resident Homero Hernandez, and Pipestone City Council members Jim Stout and Rodger Smidt. K. Kuphal
Representatives of JBS USA, the city of Pipestone and the Pipestone community were on hand Thursday, Sept. 3 for a groundbreaking ceremony for the JBS Soccer Complex for which the company donated $300,000 through its Hometown Strong initiative. The ceremony took place at the site where the complex will be built east of the softball fields near Westview Park and Paulsen Field.
Representing JBS were CEO of JBS USA Andre Nogueira and President of JBS Pork Bob Krebs, as well as JBS Pipestone Plant Manager Diane Hamersma and JBS Pipestone Plant Human Resources Manager Mandi Kuehl. Kuehl said JBS explored several options as far as what it could do for the community and the soccer complex rose to the top as one of the greatest opportunities to address a local need.
“We’re just glad that we’re able to help the community,” Krebs said.
Pipestone Mayor Myron Koets said he was excited about the donation and the soccer complex. He said it is something the local soccer teams have been desiring and Pipestone resident Homero Hernandez has been talking to him about for several years.
Hernandez said he coaches soccer for local kids and adult teams and is one of the organizers of the soccer games played in Pipestone. He said he also used to work for J&B and JBS.
Hernandez said he moved to Pipestone about a decade ago and has been looking for a place to play soccer ever since. Currently, the games, which bring teams to Pipestone from several surrounding communities, are played on land north of the middle and high school, but he said the playing surface leaves much to be desired.
Hernandez gave “a big thank you” to the JBS representatives and the city officials and said it felt great to see his desire for an actual soccer field in Pipestone take a step toward becoming a reality.
“I’m excited to see the fields here,” he said.
He and Koets stressed that the field will be for everyone in the community, not just the local teams. Koets said the location near the existing athletic complexes and the school is ideal.
The complex will have a full size soccer field, two practice fields and a playground where children can play while their families watch soccer or softball games nearby.
Koets said the city plans to level the ground this fall and then hydroseed it. He said it would take about a year for the field to be ready for play, so games could likely be played there starting in 2022.
Krebs said prior to departing the site that the JBS plant in Pipestone has been a great investment for the company and that there is a “great team” at the facility.
“We look forward to growing this business in Pipestone,” he said.
Krebs said the company’s goal is to have 200 employees at the Pipestone plant. Kuehl said there are currently 150 employees at the site.
