Montgomery Planners Back Soccer Complex

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a proposal last night to build a $19 million soccer complex in Germantown that would be the largest such facility in the Washington region.

The complex would consist of 22 playing fields operated by the nonprofit Maryland Soccer Foundation, plus two fields run by the county. Private funds, including donations and assessments on players, would provide $11 million of the cost. The county would provide $8 million under the approved plan.

Proponents say the complex will ease the shortage of fields in the county, which has growing youth and adult leagues. But residents near South Germantown Recreational Park, where the complex would be located, have raised concerns about its impact on their community.

The plan will now go to the County Council, which will have the final say.