MARYLAND HEIGHTS • As he surveyed the scene Friday night at the Lou Fusz Soccer Complex in Maryland Heights, executive club director Don Popovic could not help but smile.

“They’re all having fun, and that’s really what it’s all about,’’ he said as youngsters dribbled and passed and chased soccer balls around the crowded facility. “Our hope is that one day some of these young players can develop to play professionally or to use soccer to get an education. But mainly, it’s about giving them a chance to learn about soccer and to have fun.’’

The Lou Fusz Soccer Club cut the ribbon on its two 80-yard by 120-yard Ramturf fields Friday before a gathering of young players and their parents.

“It’s a state-of-the-art facility that we’re very, very excited about,’’ Popovic said. “This will be one of the finest facilities in the St. Louis area, and we’re very proud of it. Lou Fusz has been tremendously supportive and the people at ATG Sports Industries (the company that produces and installs Ramturf) went out of their way for us. A lot of people put in a lot of time and effort for this and we’re still not done – we plan to build a concession stand and to add some picnic tables – but this is a dream come true for us.’’

The ground-breaking ceremony was held April 30, 2011.

With 80-by-120 fields, the Fusz fields could eventually host professional or international games. But the facility, which features more than 200,000 square feet of artificial turf as well as eight grass fields, can also be broken down to accommodate a large number of small-sided games for younger players.

“We’re set up primarily for practice and for training, but SLYSA will also be using these fields for games on Saturdays and Sunday,’’ said Steve Krause, one of the club directors.

Founded in 1993 by Popovic and Lou Fusz Jr., the Lou Fusz Soccer Club is one of the largest select programs in the region. It includes 135 teams and more than 2,500 players from throughout the St. Louis area.