Article written by Adrienne Laurent for Greet Loop 68
Talk to three local leaders—Catherine Kobrinsky Evans of Corral de Tierra, Ian Jones of River Road, and Lino Belli of San Benanci—and you’ll hear a shared message: the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is about far more than soccer. It’s about health and wellness, equity, economic development, and creating lasting opportunity across the Salinas Valley.
Currently, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex welcomes more than 11,000 people each week. With continued expansion, that number could reach 20,000 weekly visits—fueling everything from youth development to economic momentum.
The nonprofit behind the effort—the Salinas Regional Sports Authority (SRSA)—is guided by a board of local leaders including Catherine, Ian, and Lino, who bring a range of experience to this transformative community asset.
LOCAL LEADERSHIP, LASTING CHANGE
Catherine, Vice President of the Salinas Regional Sports Authority, and lifelong resident of the HWY 68 corridor, first got involved when her daughters played at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. “Kurt Gollnick and I looked around and agreed — this community deserves better,’” she recalls. Kurt, now SRSA Board President and a former San Benancio resident for 25 years, shared that vision. Together, they helped launch the effort to transform the fields into a first class sports facility for families across the region. Since 2018, when the nonprofit secured a 50-year lease for the land with two 20-year options, Catherine has been a driving force behind efforts to ensure free access for girls’ and women’s teams, and to reduce barriers for underserved families–work that reflects her deep commitment to inclusion, health, and opportunity for all.
“We’re not just building fields,” she says. “We’re building opportunity—for physical health, for connection, and for girls to thrive in environments where they’re often underrepresented.”
Ian Jones, a River Road resident and business leader, brings a different lens. “This project is a community investment—but it’s also an economic driver,” he says. “Sports tourism is real. When teams travel here, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop at local stores. Every tournament brings revenue into our region.” Ian also notes that with facilities like the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, Salinas can compete with other California cities to host major tournaments, conferences, and clinics. “We’re not just improving life for families—we’re boosting the economy and elevating Salinas as a destination.”
Lino Belli, an architect and San Benancio resident, contributes with input on the look, feel, and long-term usability of the site. “The design matters,” he says. “If you want families to gather, athletes to return, and the region to grow around it—you need to design spaces that are beautiful, accessible, and built to last.”
BUILDING THE FUTURE, FIELD BY FIELD
With a bold expansion plan underway, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is poised for even more impact. When fully built, the Complex will more than triple in size—becoming the largest soccer facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Upcoming development plans include:
- Seven New Grass Fields: Expanding capacity for local leagues, tournaments, and open play
- Field House: Featuring a full-size indoor soccer court and flexible community space for events and wellness programs
- Multi-Sport Zones: Adding futsal, pickleball and basketball–broadening athletic opportunities beyond soccer
- Action Sports Areas: A BMX pump track and two skate parks designed for all ages and skill levels
- Community Gathering Spaces: A celebration plaza, shaded seating, and open green spaces for connection and recreation
- Eco-Smart Infrastructure: Drought-tolerant landscaping, bioswales, and water-saving irrigation to ensure environmental sustainability
The Salinas Regional Sports Authority has raised $17 million so far. An additional $25 million is needed to complete the full vision.
WHY IT MATTERS
Across the country, studies show that youth who participate in sports have better physical and mental health, stronger social
skills, and higher academic performance. Yet access is not equal.
“By age 13, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys,” Catherine says. “And only one in four girls in low-income households participate in sports. We’re changing that—by removing barriers and offering every girl the chance to grow her confidence and leadership.”
Ian builds on the theme. “There’s a powerful link between sports and career success. Nearly 94% of women executives in the C-suite played sports growing up. We want that pathway open to girls and boys in every part of our community.”
Lino adds, “What we’re doing here isn’t just construction—it’s community building. Every element we design—from lighting to layout to signage—supports a bigger purpose: to bring people together and build a stronger, more vibrant region.”
FUELING REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is already making Salinas a player on the state and national sports tourism map. Thanks to the recent addition of the two new lighted turf fields, major events like NorCal Premier Player Development Programs and the Alianza Cup are drawing families from across California. These events create a ripple effect—hotels fill up, restaurants stay busy, and Salinas becomes known for elite-level athletics.
Unlike many projects of this scale, the Soccer Complex has been built with minimal public funding. Instead, it has relied on philanthropy, grants, and hundreds of hours of volunteer leadership—all rooted in a belief that healthy communities and strong local economies go hand in hand. “Our board believes in this valley,” Catherine says. “We live here. We raise our families here. And we know that the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is something that will benefit everyone—economically, socially, and personally—for decades to come.”
GET INVOLVED
Whether you care about youth sports, economic opportunity, or building places where community thrives—the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex needs your support. To donate or learn more, visit salinassoccer.org/donate.
