Lexington soccer stadium passes planning commission vote
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - After hours of deliberating, and a year of planning, the Lexington Sporting Club’s soccer stadium is another step closer to being built.
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“We’re excited about what’s to come,” said Lexington Sporting Club President Vince Gabbert. “Our pro team starts in a couple weeks. Our youth club’s been in operation for nine months. And we couldn’t be more excited about the future of soccer here in Central Kentucky.”
Hours of discussion all boiled down to a debate over a zone change and a conditional use permit that would allow the club to construct a 6,500-seat stadium along Athens-Boonesboro Road.
The club began constructing recreational fields at a neighboring site, but the year-long planning phase for its professional team carries on.
The zone change would allow not just for a stadium but also practice facilities, medical offices and more.
Planning staff said the move could create 300 new jobs and $30 million in economic impact for the city.
“Land in our urban county is valuable, and this land has been zoned for commercial development since 1969, but it hasn’t developed because the uses are limited,” said Lexington Sporting Club attorney Steve Rochelle.
These changes were approved by the zoning committee and planning staff, but many were opposed, like Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman.
Goodman says it would be phenomenal to have a soccer stadium…but opposes the location for Lexingtonians and the impact on rural life as someone who lives on neighboring property.
In the end, Sporting Club President Vince Gabbert says the fans are already excited.
“Our 2900 season ticket deposits we’ve held,” said Gabbert. “And our 1400 families a part of our youth club, they’re excited. They want these fields built, this stadium up and these teams to start playing.”
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