Nelson Youth Soccer acquires indoor facility thanks to $350,000 loan from City
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson Youth Soccer is going from a six-month program to a year-round operation after getting a loan from the City of Nelson to purchase the Cedar Street indoor soccer facility from the Soccer Quest organization.
The deal was completed thanks to a $350,000 loan agreement between the City of Nelson and NYSA.
“This opportunity will create new revenue streams for the City and for Nelson Youth Soccer,” says Mayor John Dooley in a City of Nelson press release.
“It will also put the indoor soccer facility back in the hands of the community’s ownership.”
NYSA will enter into enter into a partnership and 10-year lease agreement with the City of Nelson to run the facility as of (Friday) September 1, 2014.
The local round ball association will have until the end of 2020 to re-pay the loan, which is being offered at the City’s short-term interest rate plus one percent.
The agreement between the two parties also includes rental payments and profit sharing.
Nelson Youth Soccer Association president Chuck Bennett said the NYSA is thrilled with the purchase, and adds that Soccer Quest and its founder Dave Spendlove are owed tremendous thanks for everything the organization has done to develop soccer locally over the past seven years.
“Dave took soccer in this community to another level and I don’t think we can underestimate or under appreciate his contributions,” said Bennett.
Spendlove, who came to Nelson after starting his indoor soccer business in Kamloops, is moving Soccer Quest on to other communities.
“I’ve had fantastic times, made some great friends and it’s been great to see soccer grow so much since we arrived,” said Spendlove, starting at the Cedar Street location seven years ago.
“There are more certified coaches, more leagues and teams and far more players — 22 of whom have gone on to scholarships and we won’t be completely leaving Nelson as we will continue to offer our soccer camps.”
Approximately 1,200 players, from youth on up to adult, play indoor and outdoor soccer in Nelson year round.
Registration details for the upcoming fall indoor season will be out shortly for all leagues.
