By DAN TELVOCK
About 80 acres of mostly open land at New Post in Spotsylvania will become one of the state's largest outdoor soccer complexes with 17 fields.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors reached an agreement with Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association and the Virginia Youth Soccer Association Tuesday night after a closed meeting. Both nonprofit groups plan to build their own field complexes and operate independently on the 80-acre tract.
County zoning officials say the project is allowed by-right without a public hearing, under the mixed land-use zoning designation. Of the 17 fields to be built over the next 10 years, four are expected to be artificial turf, lighted and have seating for fans.
The county promises in the agreement to extend water, sewer and other improvements to the property.
The extension of utilities could open the entire State Routes 2 and 17 corridor to future development. This project is near the proposed site for the county's Virginia Railway Express train station.
FASA President Pete Cinalli called the project the "Field of Dreams" in a mailer to FASA members yesterday. He thanked county board chairman Gary Skinner and county staff for help in reaching this agreement after two years of mostly closed-door meetings.
Skinner was a key player in bringing the two nonprofits to the county. He said the county expects at least $900,000 a year in local tax revenue from the project.
"And that is conservative," Skinner said yesterday. "We also get a professional organization and 17 soccer fields. It is a benefit to the kids. It is going to be a great partnership for this county."
The project will replace the complex FASA had planned for Massaponax Church and Hickory Ridge roads.
"It's huge," Cinalli said. "This opportunity came up and being across from VYSA it made a lot of sense to us, so we redirected our efforts to this location."
FASA's membership has grown to 1,200 players. The nonprofit will build seven natural-grass soccer fields, with the possibility of lighting some of the fields in the future on 30 acres.
Cinalli said this complex is expected to be the largest in the state, bigger than the Warhill Sports Complex in Williamsburg. He said in partnering with VYSA, they can attract regional and national events.
"I think when people see this example and the quality it is going to be, we will be able to attract teams from farther away," he said.
Other anticipated amenities include an open-air pavilion, a maintenance shed, food and restroom facilities, viewing stands, a trail system, public address system and fencing around the fields.
FASA agrees to work with the county in promoting local lodging for visitors, move its headquarters to the site, advertise county destinations in its publicity materials and be a facilitator for larger soccer events there.
FASA also agrees to let the county's Parks and Recreation Department use the fields at times that do not interfere with FASA's own scheduling of events.
VYSA has more than 134,000 registered players. It plans to construct 10 fields on 50 acres. Other possible additions are a two-story, 12,000-square-foot corporate office and training center, an irrigation system, storage space, parking lot, an open-air pavilion, restrooms, stands for fans and a public address system.
VYSA also agrees to promote local destinations and county lodging for visitors. VYSA will also let the county use the fields during times that do not conflict with its scheduling. VYSA, like FASA, could be fined $1,000 per day if it does not meet the requirements of the contract.
Denise Edwards, president of Virginia Youth Soccer Association, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Supervisor Hap Connors, who was also instrumental in working with the two organizations, said the original vision was for a multi-sports complex that would have been anchored by Cal Ripken's youth baseball foundation.
When the foundation chose Fredericksburg's Fall Hill site as its location, Connors said county officials focused on soccer.
"The complex can be a destination point for regional, state and international travel teams, which will have a huge multiplier effect on our economy," he said.
Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com
Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association has been serving the central Virginia area for more than 30 years. FASA has more than 1,200 players. The mission of the FASA soccer club is to educate players, families, coaches, referees and administrators to maintain a high level of knowledge in this sport without losing sight of good character, judgment, honesty and fair play.
WHO IS VYSA?The Virginia Youth Soccer Association is a nonprofit devoted to promoting youth soccer in Virginia and D.C. VYSA has more than 134,000 registered players and provides soccer programs and activities for its members.
:
vysa.com and fasasoccer.org