The city of Eureka has added an athletic facility to its Parks and Recreation Department’s inventory.
City Administrator Craig Sabo said the purchase of the United Sports Legacy Training Center, 102 Williams Road, was completed March 23. The Board of Aldermen had voted to buy the 28.43-acre facility for $3 million in February.
Before the deal was finalized, the board also voted 5-1 on March 21 to approve a one-year lease with the International Soccer Academy. The academy has been using the facility as its home base since 2019.
The city purchased the facility from Roma Land LLC.
“When we negotiated the sale, we required the rental up front so we would have a good solid tenant up front,” Mayor Sean Flower said.
The academy paid $99,875 to use the facility’s two fields for a minimum of 1,175 hours, which works out to $85 per hour, according to the contract.
Ward 2 Alderwoman Carleen Murray said she voted against the rental agreement because she was not positive the city was getting the best deal possible. She also said she was concerned that the club soccer teams’ use of the fields would restrict the use of the facility by the city’s recreational soccer program.
“That $85 is a bulk rate, so it is a discount,” Murray said. “I would have liked to have more comparisons for other bulk rates for other soccer facilities and fields in the area. If soccer fields are as prime and people want to play on them as much as we are told, I want to make sure we are getting fair market value.
“Also, because it is going to be a city park, I feel that the Eureka parks soccer league should have more time available to it for practices and games. Basically, the Eureka Parks soccer program will be Saturday games only. I feel like the club soccer team is getting all of the practice time. I feel like we should have more availability to the local kids.”
Murray said she is not against having the academy as a tenant.
“I just want to make sure it is a fair deal for our residents and city,” she said. “I am not saying that the deal is not a fair deal. I just want to make sure that it is a fair deal.”
The facility is just east of Kircher and Soetebier parks. Kircher Park is at 25 Williams Road, and Soetebier Park is at 187 Williams Road. The training center is on the other side of Williams Road from the parks.
There are two turf soccer fields already on the land, but there will be enough space for additional fields, Sabo said.
Flower said the city will likely charge between $110 to $120 per hour to rent the fields to entities that will not commit to as much time as the International Soccer Academy.
“We are looking at it that we want to use this venue for tournaments and other things that can draw people to the area,” he said. “The city plans to do a bunch of work to make it better. We will clean up the parking, and we are looking at adding additional fields.”
Flower said the fields at the facility may be used for more than soccer.
“We will set it up that we will rent it to anyone who wants to rent it if the hours are available. It could be lacrosse or another sport,” he said. “I think it will be a good asset for the city and for the kids around here who play soccer because they will have access to better facilities for club sports and rec leagues. I think it can be a big deal to draw business and activity to the area.”