Creating 'soccer mecca' in Carson City

If you build it, they will come.

But his plan isn't to build just one field of dreams -Carson resident Dan Bowler, a local scoutmaster, said it has long been his "mission" to build multiple new soccer fields in parks throughout the area.

The mission, he said, is two-fold.

He believes new fields could turn Northern Nevada into a "youth soccer Mecca" potentially bolstering the area with millions from out-of-town visitors from regional tournaments.

The other reason is to simply give the city's young athletes a place to meet and "something to do."

"We could turn Carson City and the Tahoe area into one of the biggest in the country for youth and club soccer (tournaments)," he said. "We have so much to offer, it'd be great for the economy.

"I also want to open up avenues for communication. This ties into the anti-gang movement; giving kids an option for something to do instead of being out on the streets. Whether it's soccer, scouting or job opportunity - these are things the community needs to focus on - and it's going to happen."

Indeed, Monday afternoon Bowler and a handful of Carson soccer players met at James Lee Memorial Park just south of town, to dedicate some $13,000 toward building a new soccer complex there that will include lights, stadium seats and, of course, a new field.

"This is just the beginning," Bowler said Monday. "We've got a lot of fundraising to do, a lot of fields to build and a lot of youth to get involved."

Northern Nevada just got its first US Club Soccer chapter. With membership not only comes a stake in being able to host tournaments, Bowler said, but a chance for young athletes to compete "on the next level."

"US Youth Soccer (Olympic Development Program) staff believes that Northern Nevada Club coaches are doing a fantastic job at developing the current and future," said John Thomas, the assistant director of coaching education for US Youth Soccer.

"We've got a lot of up-and-coming (players)," Bowen said. "The more money we raise, the more fields we can build and the more we build, the longer season we'll have."

While James Lee Memorial Park is outside Carson City limits, Bowler said two fields are slated to be built in town at Park Terrace on the east side of town.

"(Bowler) approached us about the feasibility to build two fields there," said Scott Fahrenbruch, director of operations for the city's parks and recreation department. "We listened to him and his idea was that he would go out and seek donations to make that happen."

Fahrenbruch said Bowler and his committee would have to come up with money to do a feasibility study and design specs for the fields.

If approved, the committee would then have to raise enough to grade the site and install sod.

In other words, the project would not be funded by the city; albeit, it has not met with any community roadblocks thus far, Fahrenbruch said.

"We scheduled a community meeting on Jan. 9, and noticed it throughout the neighborhood," he said. "Nobody showed up - so we're hoping that means there's no opposition."

There will not be lights installed if the fields are built, Fahrenbruch said.

The fields at Park Terrace could also be accessed by Empire Elementary, Bowler said, making it an "ideal addition" for the school.

"It would also be a really healthy place for kids to go in the summer," he said.

Bowler touts having received "generous" donations thus far from Big George Ventures, Starbucks, Safeway, Albertson's, Trader Joe's, Complete Millworks and Grocery Outlet - upwards of $25,000 to get the fields through respective development stages.

But, he said, there still is a ways to go.

"With sponsors like the ones we have, I feel like this is meant to be," he said. "But this is a big project - we can always use the help."

• Contact reporter Andrew Pridgen at apridgen@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.