OT: Mason hires new soccer coach

[Pablo]

Still can't believe Edwards couldn't get the D.C. United deal across the finish line -- I know, I know, collegiate/professional partnership dangers blah, blah, blah...but Fairfax is so much more central to the DMV talent radius than Loudoun is, it made a lot more sense to plant it on Mason's campus.

C'est la vie.

Anyway, building a new 2,500-3,000 seat soccer specific stadium (sans track) would do wonders for the program/local soccer community.

https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/201...rs-approved-new-d-c-united-training-facility/:

"Plans for a new D.C. United training facility that includes a USL stadium are moving forward, as Loudoun County, VA supervisors have approved the proposal.

The project is slated for Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park, which would become the site of a complex that includes a stadium for Loudoun United FC–a new United USL club that has been announced as a 2019 expansion team. Along with four fields (two reserved for the team, two open to public use), the complex would include offices, a training facility, and a modular stadium with a capacity of 5,000 seats. As part of the plan, Loudoun County would lease the land to D.C. United and provide $15 million in financing on the facility, which would be paid back by United.

While traffic concerns were frequently discussed throughout the planning process, officials have opted to move forward with the training complex. In voting for the complex, vice chairman Ralph M. Buona noted his support for the financial framework as well as its potential community benefits. Supervisors voted 7-1, with one absence. More from Loudoun Now:

After paying back county financing, the company will pay rent according to a marketing and revenue sharing agreement. The county and team will also lobby the General Assembly for the authority to collect a local admissions tax at the stadium.

The county will be responsible for building 1,000 parking spaces to serve the stadium, alongside the 691 spaces already available at the park-and-ride lot at the park. The cost of clearing the site and building the parking lot is estimated at $7 million.

'This is a revenue-positive project for the county,' Buona said. 'We’re not subsidizing some rich sports team owners. We are getting paid back, and we are sharing in revenues for many things, like the parking, the alcohol sales, and all those kinds of things. But more importantly, this is about the greater good. I have talked to so many people around the county who are so excited about this project.'”

 

[GMUgemini]

The Washington Spirit, I believe, are also moving their training and offices there.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Does anyone know how much something like this would roughly cost? I'm not particularly versed in construction costs but I would assume it would be reasonable.

 

[Pablo]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F12c9wa4qKg

 

[GSII]

Capital One Soccer Stadium sounds pretty good to me.

 

[FreeGunston12]

I really don't see anything wrong with the stadium we have. Went to a game there a couple months ago. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'd prefer any funds that would go towards a new soccer stadium to go elsewhere.

 

[GMUgemini]

I really don't see anything wrong with the stadium we have. Went to a game there a couple months ago. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'd prefer any funds that would go towards a new soccer stadium to go elsewhere.

It’s basically a high school set of bleachers with a track around it. The field is good, but it is not a great place to watch a game.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I really don't see anything wrong with the stadium we have. Went to a game there a couple months ago. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'd prefer any funds that would go towards a new soccer stadium to go elsewhere.

It’s next level terrible. The stands are far from the field, there’s not much atmosphere, the bleachers are old as hell. If I’m a potential recruit it’s a bit off-putting.

That being said it’s not really out of the norm for a college soccer program. I think there’s still room for a couple mid-major schools to establish themselves as powerhouses in soccer in the way Akron has if they put in the right investments. Far less needed to build some new facilities.

 

[FreeGunston12]

It’s basically a high school set of bleachers with a track around it. The field is good, but it is not a great place to watch a game.

It’s basically a high school set of bleachers with a track around it. The field is good, but it is not a great place to watch a game.

It’s next level terrible. The stands are far from the field, there’s not much atmosphere, the bleachers are old as hell. If I’m a potential recruit it’s a bit off-putting.

That being said it’s not really out of the norm for a college soccer program. I think there’s still room for a couple mid-major schools to establish themselves as powerhouses in soccer in the way Akron has if they put in the right investments. Far less needed to build some new facilities.

I understand. Again, I may be in the minority. Save the money, put it into basketball.

Or something to better the parts of the campus that benefit all students.