Adults finally have a place to play ball
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
AIRPORT PARK City Hall is looking to fill a void.
Thanks to the opening of the new, eight-acre Airport Park, there now is enough room to begin an adult soccer program.
The new park includes a three-acre, synthetic turf soccer field with lights that will allow adults to play at night during non-peak hours, said Barbara Stinchfield, City Hall’s director of Community and Cultural Services.
The lack of available space and the high demand for the youth soccer program has made it difficult to host an adult soccer program in the city.
“Nearly 2,500 youth participated in a soccer program in the city last year, yet once these youth become adults, they are left no opportunity for organized play,” a report to the City Council states.
Scheduled to begin in late spring of this year and run approximately 10 weeks, the Adult Soccer League pilot program will complement the city’s existing adult basketball, volleyball, and softball leagues, which have approximately 4,200 participants. The pilot will be operated by the Community Programs Division using independent contractors who will be responsible for organizing the league, including scheduling of teams and assigning referees. These contractors were selected competitively based on their experience playing and working in the sport of soccer in the community, Stinchfield said.
Priority registration will be offered to Santa Monica residents who show proof of residency. League play will be offered for men, women and co-ed teams with varying levels of skill and ability. The effectiveness of the pilot will be evaluated throughout the season and input will be sought from users, community members, the Sports Advisory Council and the Recreation and Parks Commission regarding participation rates, user involvement and program format prior to developing a permanent program, according to the staff report.
Those looking to learn more about the program are urged to call the Community Programs Division at (310) 458-8411.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 30, 2007. Read the original PDF.