Orange County Approves 37-Acre Purchase for Soccer Field Expansion

Orange County brings in an estimated $100,000 per year through the operation of the soccer pitches at the Soccer.com complex near Gravelly Hill Middle School in Efland, according to officials. And that number could soon be on the rise.

Commissioners unanimously approved a proposal on Tuesday night to proceed with the purchase of 37 acres adjacent to the existing soccer complex in western Orange County.

“I think as a five-field complex we are a very desirable location, as a nine-field complex we’re going to be considerably more.” David Stancil, director of the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, told the commissioners this week.

Stancil said the popularity of the facility from local, national and even international visitors has been growing.

“We opened in 2009. In 2011, we had a total seasonal gate attendance of about 12,000 persons,” Stancil said. “We’re now up over 50,000.”

Stancil said that usage results in permitting and concession revenue totaling approximately $100,000 annually. Be he added the total economic boost to the area is much higher. Particularly with events like the College Soccer Showcase Series, which Stancil said the county has hosted in each of the last four years, as a showcase of high school soccer players to college coaches.

“Our visitor’s bureau calculated last year that the total economic impact of that event was $778,000,” Stancil said. “And that’s just for those two weekends.”

Stancil added the naming rights to the complex and concession stands have brought in additional revenue.

Commissioner Penny Rich said that in conjunction with this expansion, recruitment of a moderately-priced hotel to the immediate area needed to be a point of focus.

“We don’t have enough beds in this area,” Rich said. “And we’re sending folks to Alamance and Durham, and we would love to capture more of that business.”

Board chair Earl McKee said this expansion may be the cherry on top for prospective hotels.

“In fact, I’m pretty sure we’ve got some interest from hotel chains – some fairly significant hotel chains,” McKee said. “I think this addition will possibly be the determining factor of more interest.”

Stancil said he also believed an event was very close to announcing its intention to come to the complex.

“We hope to be able to announce in the next week or so an informal activity of national significance that will be able to take place at the Soccer.com Center.”

The 37 acres is part of an 87-acre tract currently owned by S.L. Efland Heirs, LLC. The final purchase price is $740,000 – or $20,000 per acre – and $12,000 – $15,000 in “transaction costs” and is expected to be completed as of July 31.

Orange County Approves 37-Acre Purchase for Soccer Field Expansion

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