Orange County officials have acknowledged that the publicly-funded soccer complex that opens next week is unlikely to ever break even. While it certainly sounds like a nice amenity for the limited number of people who hapen to love soccer, is this entertainment complex really an appropriate expense considering real needs such as law enforcement and schools?
The complex, located at 4701 West Ten Road in Efland, includes five full-size soccer fields and one practice field, a paved walking track, a shade shelter and a concession stand.
JLF’s Michael Sanera keeps track of complexes such as this one, golf courses, restaurants, and civic centers that are funded by local governments around the state. In many cases, these operations directly compete with private business. Whether or not your local government is engaging in this misguided use of funds is just one of the issues Sanera covers in the new voter guide for local government races this fall. You’ll find the guide here. Sanera discusses it in this interview.
