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Soccer.com complex draws regional tournaments but needs field renovation and parking for expansion, staff says
Summary
Parks and recreation staff reported sustained demand for the soccer.com sports complex, outlined revenue/expenditure history, noted significant regional economic impacts from tournaments and identified field maintenance and parking as priorities for a planned expansion and CIP work.
Dave Stansell briefed the board on the soccer.com center’s usage, finances and capital needs, telling commissioners the facility continues to attract large regional and national tournaments while also serving regular recreational play.
Stansell said the complex, which opened in 2009 and is co‑located with Gravelly Hill Middle School, has five full‑size Bermuda fields and one practice field and that Sports Endeavors holds the naming rights. He noted staffing and year‑round field maintenance are intensive and that the county renewed a five‑year naming‑rights agreement with Sports Endeavors in 2024. Patrick Nelson and Matthew Peters are two full‑time staff the county assigns to field care.
Stansell walked the board through a five‑year revenue and expenditure summary and explained the COVID‑era seasons (2020–21) reduced revenues while maintenance continued. He also presented a visitors‑bureau estimate showing the girls’ college showcase that used the facility in December generated an estimated $1,300,000 in direct local business sales; other tournaments and special events bring additional regional hotel and restaurant business, he said.
Stansell advised the board the facility is about 15 years old and that scheduled CIP work includes irrigation and field renovation; staff have also acquired adjacent property (2016) intended for a Phase‑2 expansion that would add fields, restroom facilities and much‑needed additional parking and a second entry road. He said there is opportunity to consider synthetic turf for some fields to increase usable hours and revenue per field, but noted tradeoffs such as cost and differing safety/health perspectives.
During discussion commissioners asked about local access, fee structure and whether youth programs face wait lists; staff said youth recreation play is scheduled on weeknights and that wait lists are minimal. The board did not take action on capital funding at the work session; Stansell said staff will include field renovation and expansionary options in CIP planning and explore revenue approaches to offset maintenance costs.
The meeting recessed for about 10 minutes during the soccer center agenda item and later reconvened.
