GREENFIELD — The grass taking root at Greenfield Turf will soon become part of a bigger stage for soccer in the Salinas Valley, as the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex prepares to add eight fields designed to serve local players and draw larger tournaments to the region.
Seven of the eight fields under construction will feature premier-caliber grass, grown at Greenfield Turf from a specially selected blend of hybrid bluegrass and ryegrass. The new playing surfaces are expected to open this winter, expanding a complex that has steadily grown into a destination for both community soccer and regional competition.
Construction began in July after more than six years of environmental remediation concluded in June. Crews are installing nearly 20,000 linear feet of irrigation, and the grass will be installed in phases as the fields are completed.
Officials said the fields are being laser-leveled with geotechnical technology to create consistent playing surfaces. The complex is also exploring specialized mowing equipment that would produce crisp, visible lines to help referees make offside calls.
The expansion comes as the 68-acre complex draws increasingly large crowds. During two tournament weekends in August, it welcomed more than 220 teams and hosted 88 NorCal games. An Alianza event brought more than 2,500 players and drew more than 25,000 people to Salinas.
“The result will be beautiful, high-performing fields designed for everyday community use as well as the leagues, tournaments and regional events that continue to bring more players and visitors to Salinas,” according to complex officials. “As the facility grows, so does the opportunity to attract larger competitions, welcome more teams and showcase a sports complex that reflects the pride and ambition of the community that built it.”
The complex currently serves more than 15,000 people a week, up from 11,500 a year earlier. With the new fields, weekly use is projected to exceed 22,000, officials said.
The expansion is supported in part by The Match, a $3 million fundraising campaign launched with a $1.5 million challenge gift from Taylor Farms. Additional support includes private donations, federal funding secured by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and a grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
“As the new fields take shape, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is positioned to expand its impact as a gathering place for local families, a premier destination for competition and an economic asset for the Salinas Valley,” officials said.
For more information about The Match and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, visit salinassoccer.org/the-match.
