SALINAS VALLEY — Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren visited the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex on Feb. 18 to deliver a $500,000 check, part of her 13 community projects submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle.
The funding will support the next phase of expansion at the Salinas complex, which is set to become the largest sports facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“I was proud to have submitted the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as one of my community project requests this year, and I’m glad to see this funding coming to Monterey County,” said Rep. Lofgren, who represents California’s 18th District including the Salinas Valley. “This is a big investment in Salinas’ future as a regional cultural hub, and I am thrilled that Californians of all ages will get to enjoy this complex for generations to come.”
Once completed, the complex could serve more than 18,000 children and youth weekly, along with their families. The expansion, developed with the Salinas Regional Sports Authority, will include eight new turf soccer fields; a 2,000-seat lighted outdoor stadium with two synthetic fields; a 35,000-square-foot indoor arena with concessions, classrooms and maintenance facilities; an outdoor sports court and restroom; 421 new parking spaces and walkways; an on-site irrigation well; stormwater control features; and environmental protections, such as wetlands restoration and setbacks from Gabilan Creek.
“This $500,000 investment is a major win for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and for the families and youth we serve across Monterey County,” said Jonathan De Anda, executive director of the Salinas Regional Sports Authority. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and the County of Monterey for their leadership and partnership in securing these funds. This support helps us continue building out high-quality, accessible natural grass fields that promote health, community connection and opportunity for thousands of residents each week.”
Although the County of Monterey owns the site, the project is a partnership between the city of Salinas and the nonprofit Salinas Regional Sports Authority, which will construct and operate the facility’s next phases. Officials said the project demonstrates a commitment to sustainable land use and environmental stewardship by revitalizing previously underused land and incorporating stormwater management and habitat protections.
“This federal funding represents a powerful investment in the health, well-being and future of our young people,” said Monterey County District 1 Supervisor Luis Alejo. “The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex will expand access to safe, high-quality recreational space for thousands of youths and families in Salinas, while also generating economic activity and strengthening regional pride. I’m proud to continue supporting a project that transforms underutilized county land into a lasting community asset for generations to come.”
Rep. Lofgren plans to continue delivering community project funding checks, including $750,000 for Salinas projects alone and nearly $3.2 million for projects across Monterey County, to recipients in the coming weeks.
