The City of Santa Fe does not have the money to host an arena soccer team at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, Mayor Alan Webber announced Thursday—apparently dashing plans to put the turf-based sport on the ice rink amid stiff opposition from skaters, hockey players and others.
David Fresquez, the owner of the nameless arena soccer team, tells SFR over the past several months he’s been in talks with the city about making the team a reality, but a possible lack of funding was never discussed.
“Never once was I told about the financial constraints,” Fresquez says after hearing the news. “Never once.”
Webber said in a news release that every city department is expected to submit a flat budget for the next fiscal year and that accommodating the soccer team would require funding new positions at the GCCC as well as equipment such as turf, lights and storage.
That isn’t possible in the city’s budget for the next fiscal year, the news release said.
“Unfortunately, we got ahead of ourselves because we want to create more soccer opportunities in Santa Fe,” Webber said. “We’ve been trying hard to see if it could work, but after conducting a comprehensive review of existing GCCC programming, listening to the ice community, and assessing our many competing recreation needs, we’ve come to the conclusion that the soccer team won’t work at the ice rink at this time.”
Still, Webber said he was still interested in bringing the team to some other venue in Santa Fe.
“Just as the ice rink is an important asset for our community, I believe that an arena soccer team would add to our community’s recreational and entertainment programs. I also know that we continue to look for venues where our kids and families can go to practice and play soccer,” Webber said.
SFR reported earlier this week that Fresquez and city officials had been considering a plan for the professional arena soccer team to use the Chavez Center since last summer and Webber even sent a signed letter of intent to the national league.
“The City’s management is pursuing a lease with Mr. Fresquez for this purpose, as well as a strategy for obtaining the funds to invest in the infrastructure improvements that will be needed to host a [Major Arena Soccer League 2] team, starting in 2023-2024 season,” reads Webber’s letter from November.
The city announced in December the news that the center’s ice rink would be outfitted with artificial turf when the team played home games. Earlier this month, City Manager John Blair sent a memo to city councilors signifying a change of course and a backtrack from the city’s initial announcement. Webber told SFR last week that he took responsibility for jumping the gun in announcing the team before having the details worked out.
Santa Fe Skating Club President Tammy Berendzen previously told SFR she was skeptical about whether the city would actually abandon the notion of an indoor soccer team. After the city’s announcement about a lack of funds Berendzen sent a statement from “ice rink user group leadership” that signals continued cautious optimism.
“We are very happy with the decision to not move forward with indoor arena soccer at the GCCC. This is a success of community advocacy,” the statement reads. “We are still guarded about what might happen in the future, and look forward to improved transparency on the part of the City.”
Fresquez remains somewhat guarded about what his next steps might be as well, only offering a sentiment similar to what Webber previously told SFR: Santa Fe needs more community activities.
“Santa Fe deserves another sports team,” Fresquez tells SFR. “The families, the citizens of Santa Fe want additional things to do. Soccer is a great way to unite people in the community.”
