GARDEN GROVE : Work Begins on New Soccer Arena at Park

Construction has begun on a $500,000 outdoor soccer arena at Garden Grove Park.

Soccer games are expected to begin in August, immediately after completion of two soccer fields that will be lighted and have a synthetic grass playing surface. Each will be enclosed by four-foot-high boundary boards.

There also will be an 1,800-square-foot office building that will include a pro shop, concession stand and restrooms on one acre of parkland.

The facility can accommodate activities ranging from soccer clinics for children to professional competition, said Cal Rietzel, the city’s community services manager.

The city has signed a 20-year agreement with Indoor/Outdoor Soccer Parks Inc. of Poway to operate, maintain and manage the facility.

Garden Grove will receive rental payments from the company for the use of the land. After two years, the payments will be at least $1,500 a month, depending on how popular the facility becomes, Rietzel said.

The soccer facility is the second public-private venture the city has initiated in recent years aimed at increasing recreational facilities at no expense to residents, Rietzel said.

The city for nearly four years has had a similar agreement with the California Street Hockey Assn. to operate outdoor field hockey rinks at the Chapman Avenue sports complex near Knott Street.

The demand has been so great that more than 90 adult hockey teams participate on weekends, and officials have had to turn teams away, Rietzel said.

The soccer arena is expected to be even more popular “because you see soccer being played everywhere,” Rietzel said.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. April 20 at the park at 9301 Westminster Ave.