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Consultant and board outline soccer master-plan ideas; Surf Soccer to use city fields
Summary
A consultant presented a preliminary soccer master plan emphasizing community outreach, economic benefits and potential grant funding; board members discussed using Tienanoff and Sunnyview parks for tournaments and noted a Surf Soccer partnership that would bring training and games to Sunnyside.
The Sunnyside City parks and recreation board received an initial presentation on a soccer master plan and a proposal from a regional operator, Surf Soccer, that would run training and games in town.
Damien Davis, introduced to the board as a consultant who works on economic development and sports projects, told members that well‑designed sports facilities can generate tourism, support local businesses and create jobs. “One thing I will tell you that is the great unifier across economy, across tourism, across a lot of different things is sport brings all of the above to an area,” Davis said, describing how tournaments and regular programming can increase hotel stays and restaurant revenues. He urged strong community outreach—town halls, social media and direct mail—to build voter and community support for any capital ask.
Board members discussed potential locations, including reshaping Tienanoff Park as a downtown‑adjacent centerpiece and improving Sunnyview Park to host multiple fields and tournaments. Members said good fields near downtown could drive restaurant and hotel use and help attract private investment in nearby sites. The board flagged the possibility of a bond or capital measure if community outreach shows sufficient support.
Separately, board members recapped a surf-soccer presentation at a recent city council meeting and confirmed Surf Soccer’s model includes both training sessions and games: the board reviewed a Surf Soccer schedule that showed nine weeks of Wednesday training and Saturday games and a registration price listed as $95 plus transaction fees for a 9‑week session. Alfonso Reyes of Granger and a Surf Soccer representative have discussed using city fields; when contacted during the meeting, an organizer confirmed the model combines training and games so clubs could host both local practices and match play.
Board members asked for follow‑up: a more detailed outreach plan, community town halls, and a program design that shows the economic benefits, potential grant sources and program costs before any formal funding request or field-use agreement is finalized.
