Soccer plan great for kids and community

It makes perfect sense.Carson resident Dan Bowler is on a mission to build multiple new soccer fields in parks throughout the area. And what a vision ... he envisions the area becoming a "youth soccer Mecca."

"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."

You needn't be a soccer parent to get excited by those plans and the potential they have to bring more visitors to Northern Nevada.

Some communities are adept at using their facilities to draw large youth tournaments, sometimes drawing players from hundreds of miles away. Imagine if Carson City could add that to its future resume of attractions.

If you'd like to see firsthand what an impact such competitions can have, just show up at Carson High School on Feb. 23 to see the state high school cheering championship. What you'll see is about 900 students from all over the state, all of whom will be staying overnight in the area. And, of course, many of their families will be with them.

Talk about economic impact.

That's one reason why we hope Bowler and his supporters will be successful, especially since his plan to accomplish the vision relies on fundraising, rather than exclusively tax dollars.

That's an idea everyone should support.

• This editorial represents the view of the Nevada Appeal Editorial Board.