Details for a planned soccer complex, complete with seven fieldslathered in Kentucky bluegrass, were received peacefully by CityCouncil's Finance Committee until it heard the price tag: about $3million.
Most of the money would be used to acquire the 29 acres of flatland needed for soccer fields and parking, Ron Gregory, the cityparks and recreation director, told the committee Tuesday.
'This is a giant step in providing adequate soccer space in thiscity,' he said.
The proposed site is a property called Meadowbrook, next toCapital High School. City officials spent nearly two years lookingfor a location for the soccer fields that was 'accessible and easilyidentifiable,' Gregory said.
Although the committee offered support for the project, the multi-million-dollar cost was a sticking point. A vote on funding was putoff for at least two weeks while additional information about theproject's affordability is compiled.
The soccer complex, which city officials hope will become aregional attraction, is the jewel in the city's planned response tothe call for more soccer fields. Already, the city is developingsoccer fields at Cato Park and has existing fields in South Hills.
In recent years, parents of young soccer players have beenclamoring with increasing ferocity about Charleston's need for moreplaying fields. Demand for the few soccer fields available hasjumped due to the growth in recreational youth soccer, which is thefastest growing sport in Charleston, Gregory said.
During the committee meeting Tuesday, Gregory described everyaspect of the proposed Meadowbrook soccer complex, from irrigationsystems to predicated usage rates by area soccer teams.
But Gregory warned that too long of a delay in council actioncould push back the complex's anticipated opening in late March ofnext year.
Gregory said youth recreational leagues in Kanawha City and SouthHills would be given priority in using the seven fields - threeadult-sized fields and four fields of smaller, youth dimensions.
The West Side recreational league will use fields in Cato Park andNorth Charleston. Eventually, the fields could host games for manyrecreational, club and scholastic teams.
The Meadowbrook property is actually located just outside theCharleston city limits. However, Gregory assured the FinanceCommittee that the land could be annexed easily if plans moveforward.
Two of the seven soccer fields would be ready for play in earlyspring. Other fields would be added as time and money allowed.
It is unlikely that all seven fields will be used at the sametime. Gregory said a turf consultant he contacted suggested the cityuse four or five of the fields, while resting the remaining fields toallow time for the grass to reseed.
Todd Frankel can be reached at 348-4886.
