When Arthur Blank’s AMB group approached KSU about the public-private partnership in those plans they had always intended to build fields in addition to the stadium. In fact, last fall KSU had made mention of that desire prior to AMB group coming into the picture. Earlier this week Wesley Wicker, executive director of the KSU foundation, said the stadium will still be built. However, the scope of the project is slightly reduced from 20,000 seats to a minimum of 2,500. There would be an opportunity to expand to 7,500 spectators. That would be to small for MLS (unless you’re FC Dallas) but perfect for a Womens Professional Soccer team. There will be additional land on the 88 acre athletic park that could be used for a football stadium. At this point I’m assuming they said “football” meaning either American or European Football with the potential of both. (have I ever mentioned I’m an eternal optimist?)
Cobb County is also still interested in the deal. The county’s parks director is currently doing a feasability study to determine whether they would want to rent the fields during the summer when they’re not in use. The majority of the Soccer Specific Stadiums in the US have these types of complexs surrounding them. Tournaments and leagues can be a lucarative business and help sustain cashflow during off times of the year. One local example is the Silverbacks organization. They may have dropped the Men’s team for this season but they will by no means try and limit the youth teams and leagues that play in their surrounding fields.
Here’s the link the an article in the AJC http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2009/01/20/kennesaw_state_expansion.html
Could we see a Men’s Soccer Team at KSU? Is this the new home of Atlanta’s Womens Profession Soccer Team? Could we see a Major League Lacrosse team playing there in the next few years?
The promise and excitement that a new season holds is here. It’s sign-up time and from age 3 (like my son ) to 53 there are leagues everywhere anxiously awaiting your enrollment. Options abound with more and more organizations offering opportunities to get in the game.
