Street Soccer USA pitches Hollydale park site to City of South Gate with AYSO collaboration and corporate funding

Street Soccer USA presented a concept to the City of South Gate council on Jan. 13 proposing a modular, fenced soccer facility at Hollydale Regional Park that the nonprofit would build and operate at no net ongoing cost to the city.

Luca Martin, Street Soccer USA's Los Angeles director, told the council the group seeks to use part of a currently fenced maintenance/storage area just north of Hollydale's tennis courts and would leave the county park's other amenities intact. "We will be using half of it," Martin said, describing a layout of two small artificial-turf fields, spectator corridors and a removable-wall configuration designed for 5-a-side play and tournaments. He added that Street Soccer USA expects to operate free programs for children and families and to provide on-site staffing and restroom maintenance.

The nonprofit said the program would prioritize existing youth organizations. Martin said Street Soccer USA has already discussed a scheduling priority agreement with Maria Cortez, regional commissioner for South Gate AYSO, and that a formal agreement between the two groups would follow. "The priority here is AYSO because they are the community," Martin said. AYSO submitted a support letter read into the record by the clerk, and Cortez spoke in the audience in favor of collaboration.

Martin described corporate backing tied to a national initiative and referenced a major gift in the presentation as "a half $1,000,000 gift" from Visa; staff and presenters said the financial terms and a draft lease or agreement would be developed and returned to council for formal approval. The presentation listed program goals including free social-emotional curricula, community hiring and a small onsite learning center that would host financial literacy sessions.

City staff cautioned the council that the presentation was conceptual and that no approvals were required at the special meeting. Rob (staff) said a draft agreement, including lease terms and any requested park-hours ordinance changes, would be prepared if the council directed staff to pursue the relationship. Council members and residents asked about city commitments; presenters and staff repeatedly stated the city's current expected contribution would be site access (land) and that Street Soccer USA would provide staffing and security for extended hours if the council allowed later park hours.

Multiple councilmembers emphasized the need for a formal scheduling agreement with AYSO before returning the item for approval. The council gave staff direction to continue evaluating the concept and return with a draft agreement; no final decision or ballot measure was taken on the presentation. The item will be revisited as staff drafts concrete terms and environmental/operational details for council review.