ROGERS — The Rogers soccer program is one of the largest in the state, park offcials said, but there aren’t enough fi elds to easily accommodate all the teams. To help remedy the situation, property was purchased last year near Veterans Park for additional soccer fields.
The project, however, has hit a snag involving two parcels of land totaling 1.6 acres.
“We are working with the property owner to acquire the necessary property,” said Greg Hines, Rogers mayor. “This isn’t a big problem and isn’t slowing down progress for the construction of the soccer fields. This is something we are very sure we can work through.”
Officials believe they are still on track for a 2014 opening date.
The problem acquiring the property needed isn’t necessarily the price, but sewer service.
The property is behind three houses in the 1600 block of First Street. The houses are on separate septic tank systems and there’s no way to know exactly where the septic systems are in relation to the proposed soccer fi elds, said Earl Rausch, a Rogers Water Utility engineer.
“We don’t even know what kind of septic system it is. The systems are old and were not built to modern standards, but to the standards of 40 years ago,” Rausch said.
Modern septic tanks are built of concrete, but some older tanks were made of steel, and in some cases, old car bodies, Rausch said.
“Steel tanks have a tendency to rust out over the years. There’s no telling what’s down there,” Rausch said.
The property owner has decided to connect to the city sewer system, which would solve the septic tank problem but creates a new issue, Rausch said.
There is no sewer line serving that section of First Street. The closest 8-inch sewer line is 600 feet east of the property, Rausch said.
“It will cost from $34,000 to $40,000 to build a sewer line to the edge of the property,” Rausch said.
Hines said it’s a problem, but a problem that can be resolved.
“Whatever we pay for the land will go to construction of the sewer line. Right now we don’t know what the property is worth or how that relates to the cost of the sewer line,” Hines said.
Design work on the five lighted soccer fields, sidewalks, restrooms and concession stand planned for the new complex can’t begin until the property is purchased, said David Hook, city facilities development manager.
“We have a preliminary plan but no real design,” Hook said.
Rick Stocker, city recreation director, said the soccer f ields will be a welcome addition.
“Two years ago we didn’t have a single soccer field with lights, which made it diff icult to schedule the adult and kids soccer program. We now have 10 lighted fields. When the fields at Veterans Park are complete, we will have 14 to 15 lighted fi elds,” Stocker said.
There are spring and fall soccer programs. Youth games are played early, and the adult league plays Saturday afternoon and Sunday, Stocker said.
“These fields will truly enhance our soccer program,” Stocker said.
Carlos Chicas, who ran unsuccessfully for Roger City Council last year and is a former professional soccer player, is a volunteer and soccer coach in the Rogers Activity Center soccer program.
“If the new fields are built right, not only will we have better fields, we will also have the opportunity to bring bigger tournaments to Rogers,” Chicas said. “I think we could get some state and national tournaments to come to Rogers if we have enough quality fields. This would do a lot for city in the way of visitors and sale tax revenue.”