WOONSOCKET – The state’s newest mini-pitch soccer complex will be installed over the coming days in Woonsocket, a representative from Centreville Bank confirmed this week.
The pint-sized soccer field with a hard surface will go in at 79 Asylum St., the address for Dunn Park and a former men’s group home located next to the. park before the state closed it a decade ago. Old basketball courts are located just behind the 1900 home.
Danielle North, vice president of communications and engagement at Centreville Bank, said they will be announcing the formal ribbon-cutting soon, but they are planning it for Sept. 2.
Back in the spring, the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation announced a significant, multi‑year investment in Project GOAL Inc., supporting the construction of two double mini‑pitch soccer courts in Pawtucket and Woonsocket. The investment reflects Centreville Bank’s continued growth in the Blackstone Valley and its long‑standing commitment to youth‑focused initiatives that strengthen the communities it serves, stated a release at the time.
Developed in partnership with Project GOAL and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the mini‑pitch facilities bring quality, accessible playing spaces directly into neighborhood settings, creating opportunities for young people to play, train, and connect close to home. As part of the multi‑year commitment, Centreville Bank will be featured at the center of each court, reinforcing the Charitable Foundation’s long‑term presence and sustained investment in the communities.
Mini-pitches soccer facilities are designed to reduce barriers to participation by offering safe, durable, and welcoming spaces for youth activity. Beyond the game itself, the courts serve as gathering places that promote physical wellness, teamwork, and positive community engagement.
“This investment reflects how we think about our role as a community bank,” said Hal Horvat, president, CEO, and chairperson of the board of Centreville Bank in the original release. “In partnership with Project GOAL, we’re making a long‑term commitment to neighborhoods, to young people, and to places where opportunity can grow over time. These mini‑pitches will bring people together, and we’re proud to be part of something that will have lasting impact in Pawtucket and Woonsocket.”
At an opening ceremony for a new mini-pitch at Jenks Middle School in Pawtucket in June, team members from Rhode Island FC, who play at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, played soccer with local youth as part of the event.
The initiative connects to the growing national momentum around the FIFA World Cup, as the U.S. hosted a World Cup Summer of Soccer.
“Centreville Bank’s generous support is a game changer for the youth of Pawtucket and Woonsocket,” said Darius Shizradi, executive Director and co-founder of Project GOAL Inc. “By funding these mini-pitch futsal courts and the Project GOAL program, they are bridging the gap between the pitch and the classroom, ensuring our students have the tools to succeed academically and the spaces they need to thrive athletically. We are excited for Centreville Bank’s partnership and creation of a lasting impact and legacy during this incredible summer of soccer in the Ocean State.”
“Woonsocket is proud to serve as a host community for this exciting investment in our youth and neighborhoods,” said Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp at the spring announcement. “Our partnership with the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation and Project GOAL reflects a shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people to stay active, build confidence, and connect through sport. As the momentum of the World Cup Summer of Soccer inspires communities across the country, initiatives like the mini pitch program, and the addition of a new double mini pitch court right here in Woonsocket, help ensure our youth are part of something bigger, right in their own backyard.”
