Foundation Loan Helps Secure Historic Selke Field
The Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (CMYSA) has purchased the historic Selke Field in St. Cloud, ensuring this landmark green space will remain a hub for community recreation. Backed by $100,000 in community donations and a loan from the Initiative Foundation, CMYSA finalized the $350,000 purchase from St. Cloud State University in August.
Selke Field, originally opened in 1931 and surrounded by a Works Progress Administration-built granite wall, has hosted generations of athletes and community events. For decades, CMYSA has rented the field to provide programming for the more than 1,100 children who participate in its recreational and competitive soccer programs each year. With the purchase complete, CMYSA can now plan long-term investments in field maintenance, parking upgrades, and repairs to the historic granite wall.
The Initiative Foundation’s role as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury was pivotal in making the acquisition possible. By providing flexible financing, the Foundation helped bridge the gap between community fundraising and the final purchase price, ensuring this treasured space remains accessible to future generations.
“Selke Field is more than a soccer field—it’s a gathering place where children learn teamwork, families connect, and the community comes together,” said Zach Tabatt, Initiative Foundation vice president for economic opportunity. “By supporting CMYSA with this loan, we’re helping preserve an important piece of history while investing in the future vitality of Central Minnesota. This project reflects exactly what we strive to do—strengthen our regional economy, build vibrant communities and foster a lasting culture of generosity.”
CMYSA leaders echoed that sentiment, calling the purchase a dream realized after years of envisioning a permanent home for youth soccer in the region. “This is a little piece of heaven inside of St. Cloud,” CMYSA President Emily Willaert told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “It’s just a beautiful groomed space [and] a really fun space to be in when it’s full of people playing soccer.”
The community is invited to celebrate the purchase at an open house event on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Selke Field. The event will feature family activities, games and a four-on-four tournament.