King City soccer park gets $60,000 donation for renovation

KING CITY, Calif. (KION) Creek Bridge Soccer Park in King City has received a $60,000 donation for renovations from Aera Energy.

The park is across the street from Chalone Peaks Middle School, and the school's four soccer teams, an adult soccer league and a local youth soccer program use the field often, but the city said the field is in need of repairs.

The donation will mainly fund field renovation, including turf removal, irrigation upgrades and water conservation efforts. The park will also be renamed Aera Soccer Park.

"The soccer park has needed repairs for years, but we simply haven't had the necessary resources to do so. We are grateful for Aera's donation and partnership in this project," said King City Mayor Mike LeBarre.

For the city and Aera energy, the renovations are about more than just turf and irrigation.

"The renovation of the soccer park means so much more than just a new and improved soccer field for our community to utilize. Studies show that involvement in youth sports can significantly contribute to reducing youth crime," LeBarre said.

"As part of the city's plan to create a safer King City, there's been a focused effort to expand activities for youth. Revitalizing the soccer park is one more step toward building a stronger and more vibrant community," said Kathy Miller, the Aera public affairs coordinator for Monterey County.

Renovation work is expected to start this month and is scheduled to be finished in spring 2020.