KING WILLIAM — King William County is considering building new soccer fields on land it owns on the Route 360 corridor in the Central Garage area.
“There is a group of citizens within the community that has teamed up with several volunteers, along with pledges of donations, both money and services, toward the development of this property for parks and recreational use,” Allison Patterson, assistant director of parks and recreation, recently told the Board of Supervisors.
The proposal was brought up at a special meeting of the recreation committee on Sept. 17.
“Our county is growing at a rapid rate. With growth comes an increase in children and adults who are looking for opportunities to participate in recreational activities to foster a healthy lifestyle and enjoyment,” Patterson said.
The number of soccer participants in the county has increased at an “exponential rate” in recent years, outstripping the available facilities, according to Patterson. The number of fall registrants rose from 30 in 2020 to 221 in 2024. The number of spring registrants rose from 51 in 2020 to 298 this spring.
Patterson said the county is constrained due to “not enough adequate space to accept more registrants.”
The site off Route 360 would fit at least two regulation-sized multi-purpose fields as well as courts and parking.
Patterson said the county currently only has one, non-regulation-sized soccer field. “It serves our 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11 age groups,” Patterson said. But the high usage makes it a challenge to maintain the surface, she said.
Members of the Board of Supervisors expressed support for the grassroots-led project.
“There was a lot of good conversation,” Vice Chair Lindsay Robinson told the board. “We are just trying to do something to appease the numbers and help these kids have a place to play this spring besides just one field.”
Sports provisions in the county improved after King William Public County Schools held its first game on its newly laid artificial turf fields, Superintendent Chuck Wagner said. The facility allows teams to play in all kinds of weather.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
