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But what about soccer on new fields?
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| Kids play soccer near Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary School in Shadow Creek Ranch. |
By NATALIE TORENTINOS
While the City of Pearland considers building a much-hyped sports recreation center in Shadow Creek Ranch featuring a slew of baseball and softball fields, a few residents voiced concern about overlooking soccer as its popularity soars in the community.
On Sept. 8, City Council passed a resolution expressing interest in a possible agreement with USA Sports Alliance, a network of consulting firms building up a case for the center’s funding process. It will establish terms under which the council will consider sales of bonds to finance the facility’s construction.
Ted Kalivoda, resident of Shadow Creek Ranch and president of the Shadow Creek Soccer Club, addressed City Council saying he did not believe the proposed center would serve the majority of residents since he knew of no softball and baseball players.
“I would like to submit the names of 140 people in our club who play soccer,” Kalivoda said. “Within three years, we’ll be at 500, and within five years we’ll be at 1,000 players. But with 12 baseball fields, where are those kids going to play? I would ask you to reconsider. Go down to eight baseball fields, and more general purpose fields.”
Director of Parks and Recreation Jon Branson said that 12 fields are planned in phases one and two for the project – six for softball, six for baseball, and at least eight of the fields will have artificial surfaces in order to make it more attractive to major tournaments.
“Phase three shows two different options, a water park area and one with soccer amenities,” said Branson. “By the time we get to the final phase, I would recommend soccer for those areas.
“I believe this plan is a good plan. What we’re going to get with this complex is a total of 12 fields. Initially we would have received eight. For the bang for our buck, this is our best option.”
Erik Stewart, director of coaching with the soccer club, said he believes more multi-purpose, natural fields should be used since Astroturf is extremely hot in summer months and prone to collect bacteria.
“You’ll still have maintenance -- either watering it down to cool off or spraying for bacteria,” Stewart said.
But the proposed recreation center may not be the only nearby practice facility. A Houston Amateur Sports Complex is planned next to the Houston Community College Campus located off Highway 288, designed for Houston Dynamo team practice as well as youth programs.
“It’s a huge complex with 16 to 20 fields,” said Pearland Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President of Tourism, Bryan Roller.
In addition, the City of Pearland is also planning a complex in the Hickory Slough area featuring 12 to 14 fields that could be used for soccer, Roller said.
“A lot of residents don’t know about this,” he said. “It takes time. They can’t build these facilities overnight.”
In the meantime, Stewart said he hopes Pearland will leave open spaces available for a variety of sports, preferably 130-yard grass “squares” where as many as four teams can practice simultaneously crosswise, with one game field in the middle.
“It’s great for summer camps,” he said, “and has a nice multi-purpose approach instead of fenced-in baseball fields that are single-use.”
On Sept. 8, City Council passed a resolution expressing interest in a possible agreement with USA Sports Alliance, a network of consulting firms building up a case for the center’s funding process. It will establish terms under which the council will consider sales of bonds to finance the facility’s construction.
Ted Kalivoda, resident of Shadow Creek Ranch and president of the Shadow Creek Soccer Club, addressed City Council saying he did not believe the proposed center would serve the majority of residents since he knew of no softball and baseball players.
“I would like to submit the names of 140 people in our club who play soccer,” Kalivoda said. “Within three years, we’ll be at 500, and within five years we’ll be at 1,000 players. But with 12 baseball fields, where are those kids going to play? I would ask you to reconsider. Go down to eight baseball fields, and more general purpose fields.”
Director of Parks and Recreation Jon Branson said that 12 fields are planned in phases one and two for the project – six for softball, six for baseball, and at least eight of the fields will have artificial surfaces in order to make it more attractive to major tournaments.
“Phase three shows two different options, a water park area and one with soccer amenities,” said Branson. “By the time we get to the final phase, I would recommend soccer for those areas.
“I believe this plan is a good plan. What we’re going to get with this complex is a total of 12 fields. Initially we would have received eight. For the bang for our buck, this is our best option.”
Erik Stewart, director of coaching with the soccer club, said he believes more multi-purpose, natural fields should be used since Astroturf is extremely hot in summer months and prone to collect bacteria.
“You’ll still have maintenance -- either watering it down to cool off or spraying for bacteria,” Stewart said.
But the proposed recreation center may not be the only nearby practice facility. A Houston Amateur Sports Complex is planned next to the Houston Community College Campus located off Highway 288, designed for Houston Dynamo team practice as well as youth programs.
“It’s a huge complex with 16 to 20 fields,” said Pearland Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President of Tourism, Bryan Roller.
In addition, the City of Pearland is also planning a complex in the Hickory Slough area featuring 12 to 14 fields that could be used for soccer, Roller said.
“A lot of residents don’t know about this,” he said. “It takes time. They can’t build these facilities overnight.”
In the meantime, Stewart said he hopes Pearland will leave open spaces available for a variety of sports, preferably 130-yard grass “squares” where as many as four teams can practice simultaneously crosswise, with one game field in the middle.
“It’s great for summer camps,” he said, “and has a nice multi-purpose approach instead of fenced-in baseball fields that are single-use.”
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