The new Salem Soccer Complex has been so successful, an additional two fields and more parking will be added in time for play next year.
Matt Stanford, who heads the Salem Soccer Park Association Board, says work will also be completed on the concession/bathroom building with a goal of putting up the first lights.
The expanded plans come as the association prepares to host its first fundraising dinner Friday night at the Crooked Creek Winery at 24,585 West 10th Street Road in Centralia. The Cowboy Couture Soccer Gala will feature a cocktail hour, hearty dinner, silent auction with numerous items, a gun raffle, 50/50 drawing, and entertainment by Jonathan Hampton. Tickets are $50 apiece.
Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday. You can do so online by going to the Salem Soccer Park Association Facebook page and following the link for ticket purchases. Stanford says if they are able to sell an additional 25 tickets, they will be able to reach their goal for the event.
Stanford is highly appreciative of Shannon Cooney and the Crooked Creek Winery for hosting the event and giving all profits to the association.
Stanford says the additional plans are to add one more small and one more medium size field on the south side of the facility. Grass planting will take place this fall, with play beginning whenever the field is ready next year. Stanford reports that will allow the YMCA teams to both practice and play at the complex so that they no longer have to practice elsewhere. Parking is now at capacity, something they didn’t envision with the construction of the original parking lot. The additional parking will be closer to the fields, which will help those who have trouble walking.
Other plans yet this year are to complete the concession/bathroom building which still needs electricity hooked up. Stanford hopes the first lights can also go up before winter. With all the improvements, Stanford says the soccer association will be ready to host tournaments to bring in outside teams and revenue to the city.
