Project left Morgan Hill after impasse with San Jose
Hollister – Mitigating traffic generated by hundreds of people who would flock each weekend to a proposed soccer complex in San Benito County is the final hurdle to clear, an official with the San Jose Soccer Complex Foundation said Wednesday.
“We’re still trying to move forward,” said Dave Morton, the foundation’s president.
In September, the San Jose Soccer Complex Foundation made a successful offer to purchase 170 acres on Highway 25 near Shore Road after negotiations with San Jose to build the complex north of Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill failed.
The foundation wants to build 24 to 26 soccer fields on the land, as well as some permanent buildings. The complex would draw people for youth league soccer games from throughout the region, and even the nation, 45 weekends per year, according to Morton.
Initially, the hope was to make the complex accessible from Shore and Frazier Lake roads, rather than Highway 25. The foundation, however, has not been able to contact nearby property owners to talk about getting easements through private land, according to Morton.
“We’re trying to get access to the site,” he said. “We’re looking at various alternatives.”
Morton declined to reveal the other alternatives being pursued.
Local leaders have been enthusiastic about the idea of a soccer complex moving into San Benito County. Both San Benito County Supervisor Don Marcus, whose district includes the proposed site, and Sheriff Curtis Hill say that the complex would offer a new recreation option for local kids.
Marcus also said the complex, which would draw hundreds of people to San Benito each weekend, would bring revenue to local businesses and pad county coffers.
Last year, the SJSCF tried to build a permanent soccer complex in Morgan Hill, but Morton said the deal fell apart in June.
At the time, Morton said that a lack of utilities and the inability to erect permanent buildings, prompted the foundation to look elsewhere.
Morgan Hill plans to convert the facility into an outdoor sports complex that would include baseball, softball and football.
