Soccer Community Unites to Support Soccer Complex

As the need for a soccer facility in the Charlotte area increases every year, a proposal by the Town of Matthews and Keith Corporation could finally bring a sportsplex that would rival some of the best soccer facilities on the East coast such as SAS Park in Raleigh, NC.

The proposed complex would boast 12 fields (6 natural grass fields and 6 synthetic turf fields), and a soccer specific stadium with 4,000 seats and 6,000 berm seating for future expansion. The stadium would serve as a home to the Charlotte Eagles, and many regional and national events. The total project cost of the complex is estimated at $11.5 million, and would be located on county owned land where I-485 and Rt. 74 intersect. In addition to the complex, The Keith Corporation is planning an entertainment district to be built right next to the facility as part of their plan to develop a major tournament-friendly facility. It is estimated that the Charlotte area is losing significant dollars to competitors (other metro areas) due to the lack of an outstanding field sports facility for soccer tournaments. In Raleigh, for example, the two tournaments they have each year are said to bring in $9 million into the local economy.

As close as this facility is to becoming a reality, one group could make or break the project. On September 19th, the Board of County Commissioners of Mecklenburg County will help decide the fate of the proposed complex in a meeting open to the public as they study the proposal offered. At the same time, the Commissioners will also be deciding on September 12th whether to sell that same land to another private developer for housing development.

This issue has caused a unification of the Charlotte soccer community that many have not seen in years. “The soccer community realizes we can make this decision very simple for our commissioners,” Nathan Krum of the Charlotte Eagles states. “Whatever these clubs’ differences have been in the past, whether it is field space or competing for players, they all realize we have a chance to do something special; something we’ve all dreamed about.”

The Eagles have joined forces with the youth clubs in the area and the Town of Matthews to urge the community to contact their commissioners and support the complex. “We as residents of Mecklenburg County, are asking the commissioners to not make a quick decision without first considering the tremendous economic impact this facility will have on the county for years to come,” states Krum. Supporters of the complex are being asked to contact their county commissioners prior to September 12th. A list of those commissioners and their contact info can be found at: http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/BOCC/Home.htm

The Eagles are advising those interested in the proposal to visit www.matthewsnc.com and click “sportsplex proposal” to read the entire draft submitted to the county back in June by the Town of Matthews and The Keith Corporation.

For questions about the proposal and its support contact:

  Hazen Blodgett (Matthews Town Manager) 704-847-4411

  Brendan Pierce (Keith Corporation) 704-365-6000

  Greg Jackson (Park and Rec)  704-336-5471

  Nathan Krum (Charlotte Eagles Pro Soccer) 704-841-8644 x32