After the 2025 wildfires left Octavia E. Butler Magnet Middle School in Pasadena without safe outdoor areas, students and families faced a tough recovery. The campus now features a new mini-pitch, giving young players a dedicated soccer space and helping the community reconnect.
The project came together through a partnership involving the LA Galaxy, City National Bank, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Pasadena Unified School District, and the City of Pasadena. It targets the ongoing needs of a neighborhood still working to rebuild after last year’s fires. This mini-pitch is the first of two planned by City National Bank and the Galaxy for wildfire-affected communities in Southern California.
Community Partnerships and Support
Representatives from each partner, LA Galaxy players, and local stakeholders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new facility. The effort follows City National Bank’s $25,000 donation for new soccer equipment to the school, presented through the Pasadena Educational Foundation during halftime at the Galaxy’s April 4 match. Diana Rodriguez, chief marketing and communications officer for City National Bank, said the Pasadena mini-pitch fits into a broader long-term recovery plan after the fires.
LA Galaxy President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun called the project an example of using soccer to create opportunities for young people. “We’re proud to work alongside City National Bank to create opportunities for young people to connect and play through the game,” Braun said.
Restoring Normalcy for Students
School leaders see the new mini-pitch as more than a place to play. Principal Arian Whitley explained, “This new mini-pitch is about giving our students a place where they can move and feel a sense of ownership on their campus. After the disruption our community experienced during the fires, having a space like this helps restore a sense of normalcy and belonging in their daily school experience.”
The U.S. Soccer Foundation said the mini-pitch will give Pasadena youth a safe place to gather and heal as recovery continues. The project also builds on the relationship between Royal Bank of Canada, City National Bank, and the Galaxy, which includes the club’s jersey partnership and founding support of Dignity Health Sports Park. The banks’ wildfire response started with a $3 million contribution right after the fires, as reported by Reuters.
Historical Significance and Community Connection
The Pasadena project holds special meaning for the LA Galaxy, whose home matches took place at the Rose Bowl from 1996 to 2002. The unveiling matched up with a weekend celebration honoring club legend Cobi Jones, who attended the ribbon cutting before his statue ceremony. “To be part of this in Pasadena, a community that is so tied to the Galaxy and to my own development, is incredibly special,” Jones said. “Creating a space where kids can play and enjoy the game firsthand — that’s what it’s all about.”
Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco pointed to the importance of the investment for students and families still rebuilding after the Eaton Fire. “This new mini-pitch and donation creates space for joy and healing,” Blanco said. “In the wake of the Eaton Fire, safe spaces like this support our students’ physical and emotional well-being, helping them feel a sense of belonging and hope as they continue to thrive.”
For more on the partnership and the mini-pitch initiative, see the original coverage at TicketNews.
