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Council approves lease amendment to give Woodland Soccer Club new fields at Sports Park
Summary
Council approved a lease amendment to allow Woodland Soccer Club to develop two full-size and two small soccer fields in the Sports Park’s undeveloped acreage; the city will cost-share rehabilitation or replacement of an existing well and the club’s well contribution is capped at $50,000 with a $10,000 annual maintenance payment.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a lease amendment enabling Woodland Soccer Club to develop four soccer fields on undeveloped Sports Park land, a project staff said will expand local youth sports capacity and reduce the club’s need to turn players away.
Brent Meyer, the city’s Community Development Director, said the proposal covers two full-size and two smaller fields, roughly 80 gravel parking spaces, and other on-site amenities. The city agreed to share the cost of rehabilitating or replacing an existing agricultural well: 50% city, 25% Woodland Soccer Club and an expected 25% from the Woodland Rec Foundation (the foundation’s portion is not included in the formal lease agreement). “The Woodland Soccer Club’s cost for the well will be capped at $50,000,” Meyer said, and the club will pay the city $10,000 per year toward well maintenance.
Sean Sykes, Woodland Soccer Club president, described demand pressure: the club dates to 1982, serves diverse socioeconomic groups, supports about 63 scholarship players, and turned away roughly 300 applicants last year. Sykes said increased field capacity would let the club host larger tournaments that bring hotel occupancy and local economic benefits. “Last year, we had over 900 kids try out for our program. We had to turn 300 away,” Sykes told the council.
Council members questioned circulation and parking logistics; staff said gates and shared parking agreements (including occasional use of Woodland Christian’s lot) can mitigate overflow and that building permanent paved parking now would be premature because the site is planned for future lowering when storm drainage ponds are implemented. After public comment supporting the project, Council Member Garcia Cadena moved approval, Council Member Moreno seconded, and the motion carried unanimously by those present.
The lease authorizes the club to develop the fields under conditions in the agreement; staff said construction is expected to proceed as fundraising and permitting allow and that more detailed schedule and cost documents will follow.
