News Summary
The Augusta Panthers, currently without a permanent home in the United Premier Soccer League, are exploring options for a new stadium in downtown Augusta. Head Coach Merquiades McClellan aims to secure a venue near Lake Olmstead, which has faced uncertainty due to financial issues. Community discussions are ongoing about revitalizing Lake Olmstead Stadium for various recreational purposes. The team hopes to establish a dedicated location to support aspiring soccer players and enhance community engagement in Augusta.
Augusta, GA – The Augusta Soccer Team, known as the Augusta Panthers, is currently without a permanent home just four months into their inaugural season in the United Premier Soccer League. The team has been practicing and playing matches at various fields around Augusta while actively seeking a fixed location for their operations.
Head Coach Merquiades McClellan is hopeful about securing a playing venue in downtown Augusta and is exploring potential agreements with the city to acquire land for a fully professional stadium within the next six to ten years. Coach McClellan has specifically expressed interest in a location near Lake Olmstead, which would not only serve the soccer team but could also contribute positively to the city, enhancing community engagement and recreational opportunities.
The Augusta Panthers, comprised of a diverse roster of players aged 16 to 34, aim to provide a pathway for aspiring athletes to transition into professional soccer. Players like Caree Collier, a former Georgia Southern football player, view their participation with the Panthers as a critical stepping stone toward achieving their professional soccer goals.
Meanwhile, the future of Lake Olmstead Stadium, a venue originally built in the 1980s, remains uncertain. The stadium, which previously hosted the Augusta GreenJackets until their relocation to SRP Park in 2017, has largely been abandoned since. The development authority’s president, Cal Wray, sees recent court rulings regarding Lake Olmstead Stadium as an opportunity to explore new possibilities for the location. This comes in light of the significant financial judgment of over $3.3 million against C4 Live, the company behind the canceled XPR Augusta festival and charged with the maintenance issues surrounding the stadium.
These judgments include $1.7 million for a capital maintenance fund and $1.6 million related to stadium damages, along with various attorney fees. With the inability to fulfill refund requests due to the event’s cancellation, C4 Live’s financial troubles have led to a Writ of Fi.Fa. being issued, allowing authorities to seize company assets.
Plans to modernize Lake Olmstead Stadium into a comprehensive entertainment venue fell through after construction was halted due to significant soil issues. Amid these challenges, community interest has sparked discussions regarding potential uses for the stadium, including outdoor recreation facilities, youth leagues, skate parks, and market spaces. Augusta Commissioner Francine Scott is eager to gather community input to explore entertainment options that would benefit both the soccer team and residents.
As the Augusta soccer team continues its search for a dedicated home, the city’s leadership and community members remain engaged in discussions about revitalizing the historic Lake Olmstead Stadium. The hope is that by collaborating with residents and stakeholders, the stadium can once again serve its community and play host to a range of recreational activities, bridging the gap until the Augusta Panthers can celebrate a home of their own.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Augusta Soccer Team Still Looking for Permanent Home
- Wikipedia: Soccer in the United States
- WRDW: Augusta Soccer Team Gives Players Second Chance to Dream
- Google Search: Augusta Soccer Team
- Augusta Chronicle: XPR Augusta Organizers Pay for Lake Olmstead Stadium
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soccer
- WJBF: Westminster Schools of Augusta Boys Soccer Takes Home 3A GIAA Three-Peat
- Google News: Augusta Soccer
