THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 1996 TAG: 9604090473
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
The Hampton Roads Soccer Council has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation that should significantly speed up construction of the council's 19-field complex at Princess Anne Park.
The grant brings to a little more than $1,099,000 the total of funds raised and is the largest single cash donation to date.
The council submitted its application in November and was one of only 22 organizations awarded money from 140 that applied. It was the only Virginia organization awarded money from a $49 million surplus from the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States.
The council had set its sights on opening up to five fields this fall. With the new influx of cash, up to 10 fields and maybe more could be completed.
``We could possibly get all 19 fields complete if we play our cards right,'' council president Mike Barrett said. ``We're certainly happy to have gotten this award, and it says something about our program. We're particularly pleased to be the only program in Virginia to be approved.''
The E.V. Williams Co. currently is completing a $300,000 grading and dirt-fill contract to bring the complex up to specifications. Next on the agenda is a bidding process for irrigation systems, followed by bidding for the final planting of 75 acres of bermuda grass that will need the entire summer to grow.
``We've gotten plenty of advice on how long we need to let it grow so that we don't play on it too soon,'' executive director Karen Knott said. ``They've really been battling the mud lately, and everything depends on the weather as to when we get certain things done.''
When complete, the complex's first customers will be members of the Virginia Beach Soccer Club that used to play at Virginia Wesleyan. The site will also host several regional tournaments including the Columbus Day, Atlantic Labor Day and Hampton Roads Girls Soccer Association Rose Memorial events. by CNB