Drake University and Des Moines Public Schools partnership to construct a new, on-campus stadium took another step toward becoming a reality May 19 when the Des Moines school board unanimously approved the project by a 7-0 vote. 

Drake and DMPS initially announced the partnership Nov. 13, 2019, to construct a $19.5 million athletic stadium located along Forest Avenue, adjacent to the Shivers Basketball Practice Facility in Des Moines. Preliminary plans call for the project to be completed by the summer of 2021.
 
The venue will seat 4,000 fans and provide an on-campus home for the Bulldogs' men's and women's soccer teams, in addition to hosting Des Moines Public Schools high school football and soccer games.
 
"This is a significant day in the history of both Drake soccer programs," said Drake men's soccer head coach Gareth Smith. "We are serious about soccer at Drake and this new stadium is a clear statement of the direction we are headed and the level we want to compete at."
 
Smith and Drake women's soccer head coach Lindsey Horner both described the stadium as a "game-changer."
 
"Our program is thrilled to announce an on-campus stadium," Horner said. "It will be significant for our current student-athletes to not only have a consistent place to call home but have everything a program in the Midwest needs to compete at the highest level."
 
"The stadium, with all it includes, is so important for our student-athletes during training and on game days," Horner said. "It also enables our fans to experience Bulldog soccer right here in the Drake neighborhood, and allows our staff to better develop our current student-athletes and continue recruiting championship-level competitors."
 
Drake University and Des Moines Public Schools will work to fund the project. Drake will donate the land for the site as well as manage and operate the facility.
 
"This is another important step in the process of building a nationally recognized program with sustainable success," Smith said. "The stadium is a game-changer on so many levels and is going to transform not only our soccer program, but the Drake neighborhood and our local soccer community.
 
"It's a great day for Drake soccer, Drake University, and our local soccer community. Drake soccer is coming home to Drake University."