Work Officially Begins On Yakima Soccer Complex

It might look like a scene out of "Mad Max" right now, but backers of a new soccer complex on 122 acres off South 38th Avenue hope it'll look like one of finest sports facilities in the state within the next two years.

Amid lots of applause and smiles, city officials joined private organizers for a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday afternoon to celebrate the start of the construction. Sozo Sports of Central Washington and the city of Yakima teamed up to create the complex, which is expected to draw teams and tournaments from all over the region.

"If we dream big we can accomplish big things," coach and Sozo Sports co-founder Bob McAllister said during Thursday's gathering.

McAllister said backers started dreaming of the facility in 2012, sketching the plans on a napkin at a local coffee shop.

Once it's completed, the complex will include 17 fields -- including and indoor facility. The first six fields should be ready for play by spring, McAllister said.

"It’s going to be a huge asset for sports in the valley," City Manager Tony O’Rourke said earlier this week, adding that big tournaments draw big crowds of paying customers to local businesses. And, he said, the indoor field will ensure that revenue keeps coming in year-round.