EXXONMOBIL COMMITS $1.75M TOWARD INITIATIVE TO REMAKE MIDLAND PARK
(Dec. 19, 2024)
MIDLAND, Texas – ExxonMobil, the largest oil producer domestically and in the Permian, is pleased to announce a $1.75 million commitment toward a bold quality of place project by the City to redevelop Beal Park in Midland.
The company’s pledge will assist in funding the ExxonMobil Soccer Complex and ExxonMobil Playground, integral parts of what is anticipated to be the best park in the West Texas region. The reimagined complex will include a full amphitheater, grass and turf soccer fields, a cricket field, a splash park, playground, a food truck court and hundreds of additional parking spaces, among other amenities.
“When ExxonMobil first learned about the plan to revitalize Beal Park in Midland, we knew quickly that this was a project that we wanted to support,” said Rich Dealy, the company’s Permian Vice President. “Beal Park has been a terrific venue in Midland for years, and we are proud to be able to help make the new vision for the park a reality; improving the lives and well-being of everyone in the community, and making a tangible, lasting quality-of-life investment for the whole region to enjoy for decades to come.”
Long a popular community magnet for athletics, skateboarding and numerous other outdoor activities, the park’s renovation funding has been approved by the City and a generous donation from a private partner rounds out the $35 million dollar baseline planned projects. ExxonMobil’s donation of $1.75 million allows for additional, upgraded amenities at the soccer complex and playground. Groundbreaking is planned for winter of 2024.
The long-overdue renovation is highly anticipated by the community – particularly for the more than three thousand kids who currently play soccer in the Tall City.
The biggest upgrade to the park - the soccer complex - will result in up to 62 fields of different sizes for all ages, accommodating the growing needs for one of the region’s most popular sports. Currently, games in Midland are split between three parks, meaning the new ExxonMobil Soccer Complex will offer simpler logistics and accessibility for sports parents and a more attractive and accommodating venue for tournaments. The City said it hopes to make Beal Park “the premier soccer facility in West Texas,” offering quality of life benefits for residents and bringing in revenue from additional tournaments.
“The impact the Beal Park renovation will have in the Permian community is going to be astonishing,” said Keith Underwood, ExxonMobil’s Unconventional Production Manager. “Like many other companies in the region, one of our biggest challenges isn’t an operational one – it’s recruitment and retention of talent out to the region. The Midland community has come a long way in addressing quality of place needs, and this project is one more example of the City and local companies like ExxonMobil coming together to offer improved lifestyle options for our employees and community members.”
Midland City Councilman and champion for the Beal Park initiative Scott Dufford said the ExxonMobil Playground and Soccer Complex will play pivot roles in the overall vision for and impact of the park. “This improvement is going to be amazing not just for our youth sports, but the multipurpose vision will create a place where our community can gather for years to come. The investment by ExxonMobil in Beal Park means the highest quality soccer fields and playground will be at the disposal of our growing and flourishing community.”
Midland native, Mayor Lori Blong, said the project is a chance to bring a quality of life to residents that is sorely needed. “We know that soccer is one of the most popular recreational sports in the community in Midland. We have a median age of 32 years old in our community and our largest demographic ages 0 to 5, so we know that this is just a need that will continue to grow,” Mayor Blong stated. The City envisions hosting tournaments for teams across West Texas within the soccer complex, made possible in large part due to ExxonMobil’s investment. “It feels good to know that our local companies like ExxonMobil are willing to step forward and pour their resources into the community, and we are appreciative of their partnership,” said the Mayor.
ExxonMobil’s commitment to the Beal Park project comes on the heels of the company’s merger with Pioneer Natural Resources in May. The deal created an unconventional business with the largest development potential in the Permian Basin, and Company’s investment in the Beal Park initiative underscores ExxonMobil’s commitment to the Permian Basin community.
An early advocate for the park project, ExxonMobil’s Permian Central Operations Manager Matt Mathis, said the company’s contribution demonstrates a lasting commitment to the region. “Quality of place is one of the foremost impediments we face for recruitment and retention of talent here in the Permian. And, as the parent of young children, I can attest to the importance of this Beal Park renovation project – this improvement is going to make a difference for our community, for our current employees, and for our prospective talent. This investment says ExxonMobil is committed to the Permian community, and we’re here to stay.”