Garden Grove Park is designated as a park facility for active and passive recreational activities, with the soccer facility in close proximity to the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center that is located at 13631 Deodara Drive, Garden Grove.

In 1992, the City of Garden Grove (City) entered into a License Agreement with Indoor-Outdoor Soccer Park, Inc., to operate the soccer facility for a period of twenty years. This License Agreement was amended in 1994 to transfer the License Agreement to Arena Soccer Parks, Inc. (ASP).  The current License Agreement with ASP expired in October 2019, and was extended through March 31, 2020.

During the extension period, the City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proposals from qualified organizations for the operation of the soccer facility at Garden Grove Park.  Through the RFP process, the City sought organizations or individuals to operate the soccer facility for youth, adult, and co-ed leagues, tournaments, clinics, or other revenue generating athletic activities. The RFP Review Committee was comprised of City staff members and a Recreation professional from the City of South Gate. 

Proposals were evaluated on the following criteria as requested on the RFP:

• Experience in operating a similar location and or a business;
• Programming for both children and adults; and
•  Offering high quality sports programming that is in high demand in our community.

Two (2) qualified operators who submitted proposals were: Arena Soccer Parks, Inc., and Esparza Soccer Academic, Inc.

The Committee reviewed the proposals and deemed Esparza Soccer Academic, Inc. as the responsive proposal based on a record of experienced soccer league operation with over 15 years operating youth and adult soccer leagues. Additionally, Esparza Soccer Academic, Inc., proposes to serve as a community partner hosting events, and committed to making needed significant facility improvements.

There is no impact to the City's General Fund. The  agreement requires that Esparza Soccer Academic, Inc., make monthly lease payments in the amount of $5,000.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve a three (3) year Facility Use Agreement with Esparza Soccer Academic, Inc. for the operation and management of the soccer facility at Garden Grove Park; and

•  Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to sign and execute the the agreement on behalf of the City; including making minor modifications as appropriate and necessary.