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New York Red Bulls

Pequannock Approves MetroStars Practice Facility

March 16, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release


SECAUCUS, NJ (Tuesday, March 16, 2004) - Pequannock will soon be the official new home of the MetroStars training site and corporate headquarters.

The Township of Pequannock Planning Board unanimously approved the first phase of construction of a MultiSports Complex to be built along Route 23 on the old McDonald's Beach site. When finished, the project will become the home of the MetroStars soccer operations. Construction on the site will begin once permits are acquired. The first phase of construction will be specific to the MetroStars training complex, which will include indoor and outdoor practice fields.

"We are very excited to be part of the Pequannock community," said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "We are a community based and driven organization. We are proud of the credibility we've earned as a leader among sports teams and as a business in building valuable and productive community relationships. We embrace this role and obligation and view the Pequannock training facility as a great opportunity for Pequannock and its residents. We went to great lengths to take pro-active steps during the design process to create a facility that enhances and compliments the current site and community for the residents of Pequannock and will continue to do so throughout the construction phases."

The facility will not only serve as a home to the MetroStars. It will also host various youth sporting events, including tournaments, camps, clinics, and leagues. The state-of-the-art design will make it the most advanced soccer complex in the tri-state area.

"After carefully evaluating the commercial and community options available for this land, we decided a recreational facility was the right thing to do for the community," said ABN Chief Executive Officer Mounir Badaan. "The facility will provide the community with a tax rateable and more importantly recreational opportunities for the youth of the area. We have a history of creating quality community developments such as Cedar Crest in Pequannock."

The complex is slated to include two 75x115 yard outdoor fields. The first of these fields will be a natural grass surface that will be reserved primarily for the MetroStars, and the second will be a Field Turf surface and will be used for the main team as well as the MetroStars Player Development Programs and various youth community youth teams. This artificial surface field will have a high quality lighting system. In addition to the fields, ABN will construct a fully functional state-of-the-art locker room and training facility on the site.

The move of team operations to Pequannock will also give the MetroStars increased exposure in a community that has strong youth soccer programs. The team is scheduled to move into its new facility in 2005.

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