Watsonville Gets $7M To Expand Soccer Access

WATSONVILLE, CA — The state allocated Watsonville $7 million to expand soccer access through the Ramsay Regional Sports Complex Project.

A quarter of Watsonville youth are involved in youth soccer leagues, according to a statement from Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who recently announced the funding. Soccer fans and outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all ages will benefit from field improvements, his office said.

Fields currently lack capacity to serve everyone who wants to use them, his office said. Despite the sport's popularity, many practice and train outside of the city.

“The pandemic demonstrated just how important outdoor spaces are – they provide opportunities to exercise and connect that benefit our physical and mental health,” Rivas said in a statement.

Funding will help cover the cost of drainage and lighting improvements, which render the fields unusable for much of the year. Improvements will increase dimensions to 65-by-110 yards and make the area available about 260 days per year.