The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex in California received a significant boost in its capital campaign with the announcement of a $1.5 million donation from Taylor Farms. This contribution is part of a broader goal to raise $45 million for the complex, which serves as a vital hub for youth sports and community gatherings in the area.
Catherine Kobrinsky Evans, vice president of the Salinas Regional Sports Authority, emphasized the importance of this donation. “Taylor Farms has stepped forward with extraordinary leadership, creating a moment for others to come together and help build something that truly belongs to this community,” she stated.
Launching “The Match” Campaign
The donation from Taylor Farms marks the beginning of “The Match,” a campaign aimed at raising an additional $3 million to construct eight new soccer fields and enhance the complex’s infrastructure. Jonathan De Anda, general manager of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, highlighted the urgent need for expansion. “Without the new fields, we are already beyond capacity and unable to meet the community’s demand for high-quality soccer fields,” he said. The complex currently accommodates approximately 11,500 individuals each week, and the new facilities are expected to double that number.
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex has gained recognition for hosting significant events, including the Alianza de Futbol tournament last summer, which attracted more than 5,000 attendees and 147 teams from across California and beyond. With the proposed expansion, the facility aims to enhance its capability to host state and national tournaments, thereby stimulating economic activity in the region.
Community Support and Future Goals
The campaign is part of a larger $10 million effort to complete Phases 2 and 3 of the complex’s development. De Anda expressed gratitude for Taylor Farms’ contribution, stating, “Thanks to the generosity and belief of Taylor Farms in our mission, this is an ideal moment for the community to step forward and know that their contributions will be matched, doubling their impact.”
In addition to Taylor Farms’ donation, various other supporters have emerged to assist in the project’s funding. In February, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren secured $500,000 in federal funding for the complex, while Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo pledged to reallocate $100,000 in discretionary funds toward the BMX pump track and skate parks. Furthermore, a $250,000 donation from the Ray Costa family will support operational aspects of the complex.
Alla Zeltser, Principal for Disruptive Development, noted the importance of both operational and capital support for the success of the complex. She remarked on the ongoing efforts to build relationships with donors, stating, “These are relationships that have been cultivated for years, and we are seeing meaningful progress come to fruition.”
The fundraising campaign aims to reach its goals by March 2026, with the completion of construction for new fields and amenities targeted for Spring 2027. With Taylor Farms’ announcement, there is optimism that this will encourage further donations. Zeltser concluded, “Every donation makes a difference. We expect significant gifts to follow Taylor Farms’ leadership, and we also hope this is a moment when the broader community chooses to participate at whatever level is meaningful to them.”
