On the Agenda: Maryland Soccer Foundation

Maryland Soccer Foundation Inc. will present its annual report to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday. The nonprofit operates the in Boyds under a 40-year lease with the Maryland-National Capital, Park and Planning Commission. 

Primarily a soccer venue, the 162-acre facility opened in 2000 at a cost of $28 million — 60 percent from public funds, 40 percent from private funds. The Foundation has since invested $7.2 million, according to the report the Soccer Foundation submitted to the Montgomery County Planning Board.

2011 at a glance:

• Erratic weather posed scheduling challenges — record high temperatures in July;  Hurricane Irene in August; Tropical Storm Lee in September; two inches of snow at the end of October — which lead to a spike in the number of local soccer league games had to be cancelled or rescheduled.
• Crazy weather aside, the stadium field was awarded “Field of the Year” by the Sports Turf Managers Association, for the Schools and Parks category.
• made its debut for Halloween. Under an arrangement with the event’s producers, the parks department and Maryland Soccer Foundation would receive a percentage of admissions revenue, ultimately amounting to a net of little more than $10,0000, each.
• The Foundation introduced a girl’s lacrosse league — Washington Area Lacrosse League (WALL). There is talk of expanding the league and adding another girl’s tournament.
• A peek at the future: The SoccerPlex will host the ACC Men’s Soccer Championships Nov. 9-11, 2012. The venue hosted the event in 2006, according to the report.