It’s looking pretty likely that the San Jose Earthquakes will
make Morgan Hill their training facility home, and we think that’s
a good thing for our community. Especially in these tough economic
times, bringing a new business to town, with more than 50 employees
who will spend money at local shops, restaurants and businesses, is
a big win.
1. Welcome Earthquakes
It’s looking pretty likely that the San Jose Earthquakes will make Morgan Hill their training facility home, and we think that’s a good thing for our community. Especially in these tough economic times, bringing a new business to town, with more than 50 employees who will spend money at local shops, restaurants and businesses, is a big win.
The professional soccer team – one of just 16 in the United States – is seeking permits to turn the former Golden Oak Restaurant on Condit Road into its training facility. In addition, if negotiations are successful, the team would run the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center just across the street.
2. Remember youth soccer
However, one group is watching the Earthquake developments with a wary eye: The Orchard Valley Youth Soccer League. If the Earthquakes make Morgan Hill their training center, they’ll become OVYSL’s landlord at the sports center.
“I’m hoping they keep it the same; keep it open to the youth and local community,” OVYSL 2nd Vice President Ricardo Martinez told Times sports columnist Scott Adams.
Jack Salvemini, OVYSL president, echoed Martinez’s concerns: “Our biggest concern is they don’t know the financial part: What it costs us to rent (the fields), those rates are affordable. … I just hope when they negotiate rates, they think of us. The sports center was built for the residents.”
3. Find the win-win
We hope so too, and suspect that there’s no cause for worry. More than anyone, the Earthquakes should value and support youth soccer. That means that they should give OVYSL, which serves 1,400 area youth, reasonable rent and access to the fields.
We urge the City Council to keep the community, including OVYSL, in mind as it negotiates with the Earthquakes. The community paid for the sports center with its taxes, and community access at reasonable rates and at reasonable times must be preserved.
If they are, the Earthquakes’ move to Morgan Hill will be a model for public-private partnerships.
