The Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center will be the site of one of the biggest youth tournaments it has ever hosted next weekend, and while the large crowds could mean more dollars for surrounding businesses, they also mean road closures and traffic that local residents should take note of.
The 38-acre complex of artificial and natural turf soccer fields on Condit Road will host the California Youth Sports Association’s District two 8- to 10-year-old championship tournament June 1 and June 2, according to the facility’s operator and a tournament organizer.
About 250 youth soccer teams from throughout the South Valley and South Bay, and anywhere from 9,000 to 15,000 people per day – including players and their families – could swarm the areas in east Morgan Hill surrounding the complex, “looking for places to eat, get gas, and buy stuff for their coolers,” according to Jeff Dixon, President of Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance which operates the Outdoor Sports Center.
“It’s the first time this facility has ever been able to put this many teams on (the property) at one time,” Dixon said.
The customary layout of the OSC only supports about 11 fields, but for this tournament the property will be reconfigured to house 25 soccer fields, thanks in large part to an investment by CYSA in scores of new goals that will remain stored at the Morgan Hill facility, Dixon said.
For this annual tournament, CYSA normally spreads the teams out over several different venues in the association’s District 2 area, which includes San Benito, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, and areas east, according to CYSA District 2 Commissioner Rodney Robinson.
“We just ordered 50 new goals” in order to hold the tournament at the Morgan Hill venue, Robinson said. “We look forward to it. It’s an awesome event.”
Tournament organizers and MHYSA have been in the process of notifying surrounding businesses and residents about the potential impact of the two-day event, Dixon added.
Perhaps the biggest noticeable impact to those not attending the tournament will be road closures and extra traffic. MHYSA has been working with Morgan Hill police and the City’s public works department to develop a traffic control plan in the leadup to next weekend’s tournament, Dixon said.
On both days of the tournament, Murphy Avenue will be closed to all vehicle traffic between San Pedro and Barrett avenues, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dixon said. Also, Barrett Avenue will be closed to westbound traffic from Murphy Avenue both days.
MHYSA is also working with tournament organizers to notify visitors to exit off Tennant Avenue, instead of East Dunne Avenue, to access the OSC, in order to alleviate some of the traffic burden at the northerly access point, Dixon said.
“CYSA, MHYSA and City staff are working closely together on this tournament and we are reaching out into the community to inform them of (this) important upcoming event,” Dixon said.
