After an extensive #SaveTheCrew effort, plans are underway for a new stadium and now the city is unveiling plans to convert the current home of the Columbus Crew into a community sports park.

While the financing plan was not released, funding will be acquired through a private/public partnership.

Mayor Andrew Ginther announced the plan with a handful of other city leaders at a press conference Wednesday morning.

The plan calls for MAPFRE Stadium to be converted into a community sports park with programming spaces, indoor basketball courts, a full size indoor soccer field, outdoor fields, two MLS practice fields and additional green space. The development will also house the Columbus Crew's training facility.

One of the speakers at Wednesday's press conference was Cassie Dickerson. Dickerson was recently inducted into The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame. While attending the university, Dickerson was a member of the women's soccer team. She recently held a youth soccer event called Just Kick It.

"Sports, especially soccer in the (United) States, have become super unattainable and unaccessible to a lot of the community and I don't feel like it should be that way," she said.

This development could change that. The city said the development would be easily accessible from Milo Grogan, Weiland Park, Linden, North Columbus, Glen Echo, Indianola Trace and the University District.

"We should never be unable to achieve something or do an activity, especially sports that's so integral for children's growth just because we don't have access," Dickerson said.

The plan still needs approval from city council. If approved, construction is estimated to take 18 to 24 months and will begin once the new Columbus Crew stadium is built. There has been no announcement regarding that stadium.