Street Soccer USA, a nonprofit that builds modular, shipping-container soccer installations, presented a proposal Dec. 11 to the South Gate Parks and Recreation Commission to place a 10,000-square-foot pitch and digital media container at Holly Dale Regional Park.

Luca Martin, director of Street Soccer USA Los Angeles, said the nonprofit would construct and operate the site, pay for LED lighting and utilities, and provide free programming outside peak AYSO hours. “We don't look to replace any type of AYSO programs,” Martin said, adding that the organization plans to prioritize AYSO scheduling and would hire coaches from the local community.

City Manager Rob Houston and staff characterized the proposal as low-cost to the city because Street Soccer would cover installation and ongoing utility costs. Houston said staff had reviewed the site and “we feel comfortable the location can work,” while noting that Holly Dale is currently a dawn-to-dusk park and evening play would require a formal change of park designation and council approval.

Martin described a phased installation timeline: roughly three months for site prep while materials are shipped from overseas, one week to install FIFA-grade turf, followed by walls, netting and light fixtures. He said the modular walls are removable so two narrow fields can be combined into a larger 10v10 configuration when needed.

AYSO leaders and residents spoke in the public-comment period. Maria Cortez, regional commissioner for South Gate AYSO, said the organization will "be in full support for now" and is working on a partnership agreement with Street Soccer. Evelyn Chacon, speaking as a longtime AYSO supporter, told commissioners AYSO fields host “about 450 kids per season,” and urged written guarantees after prior verbal arrangements lapsed.

Commissioners and staff pressed Street Soccer on community outreach, the proposal's compatibility with the existing Holly Dale master plan (which shows a senior center/gymnasium footprint), and lease terms. Martin said the group prefers 10-year leases with a five-year review but could agree to shorter terms. Several commissioners recommended any priority for AYSO be recorded in writing so the arrangement would not depend on informal understandings.

The commission did not take a formal action on the proposal at the Dec. 11 meeting. Staff and commissioners directed follow-up steps: prepare a written agreement or memorandum of understanding that details scheduling priority for AYSO, clarify how the installation would be sited to avoid displacing planned master-plan features, and expand outreach to Holiday-area neighbors.