Public process for proposed facility will proceed

County Executive Jack Doyle proposed the development of a 22-field soccer facility on county-owned land in Greece and called for a series of public meetings to gather input on the need, economic benefits and design of the proposed facility.

Several locations throughout the county, including one in Chili, were under consideration for the complex, which would be a tournament facility for amateur soccer players of all ages.

"Soccer is a sport that continues to grow throughout our community, region and nation," said Doyle. "This continued growth and popularity, in all age groups, makes this type of soccer facility viable at the county-owned Greece site. Amateur sporting events hold an enormous untapped potential and this proposal offers economic development and tourism opportunities that will further enhance our community's already high quality of life."

Doyle was presented with an analysis of several sites for the proposed facility by an advisory committee and has selected the county-owned land next to Greece Canal Park as the most suitable.

Monroe County purchased the nearly 90 acres of land directly abutting Greece Canal Park last year. This parcel is bounded by the park, the Erie Canal and Manitou Road, and is particularly attractive for the soccer complex in that it would not add any additional land acquisition costs to the project, according to county officials.

Doyle initiated a series of meetings with local coaches and league officials from across the county to discuss the viability of a soccer complex and how such a facility could best meet the needs of the community. These discussions have included the draw that a first class tournament facility would have for regional and national soccer tournaments and the economic benefits this type of facility would hold. Now that the site selection issue has been resolved, the county will host a public participation process to solicit community input on the development of the facility.

As currently envisioned, the facility would be used both for tournament play and local soccer games and practices.

The proposed facility would include 21 regulation size soccer fields and one "championship" field with bleachers and other amenities. The soccer complex, as proposed, would offer an ideal venue for tournaments, games, clinics and practice and would also allow for greater marketing of the community for regional, national and international amateur soccer events.

In addition, the county recognizes the opportunity such a facility would hold for game and practice time for local soccer leagues and teams. Currently, most amateur soccer programs throughout the county face limited field availability.

The soccer complex would be maintained, managed and marketed by a professional on-site staff to ensure maximum use of the facilities. Local soccer leagues and teams would also have the opportunity to partner with the Soccer complex management to host existing local tournaments at the facility.

The facility is expected to have a significant economic impact through the attraction of out-of-town teams and families for tournament games in a first class, state-of-the-art venue. Other large soccer complex facilities around the country have had an ability to attract greater corporate sponsorships and have a record of profitable partnerships with local hotels, attractions, retailers and other tourism related businesses.

The facility is estimated to cost between $3-4 million and would be funded through the use of revenue from the interest on funds from Monroe County's securitization of the tobacco settlement. Operating revenues, including field rentals, concessions, advertising and naming rights are projected to fully cover operating costs.

The Greece site was selected as the most feasible based on the elimination of land acquisition costs and the readily available infrastructure in close proximity to its location. The Erie Canal offers a unique and historic aspect to the facility, offers a source of free water for field irrigation and opens opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle access. In addition, the Town of Greece recently purchased approximately 450 acres of developable land nearby, south of the canal, and has actively sought the soccer complex facility.