County purchases soccer fields, MUSA plans to improve area

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Gooch Trucking has agreed to the county purchasing 12.009 acres of soccer fields by the old water plant off Mauney Road. Mountain United Soccer Association (MUSA) to lease area from county to offer soccer leagues in the community.

The land purchase and sale agreement between Union County and Gooch Trucking  for the property amounted to $150,000.

“This is something that has been in the process for many months, said Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris. “The county had been trying to get a lease or agreement on those soccer fields for years.”

Before Gooch Trucking purchased the property, the owners of the land didn’t have an interest in collaborating with the county. They did leave the fields intact, however. After Gooch Trucking made the purchase of the old water plant and adjacent fields, the organization was open to suggestions for the area. Now, Panel Built has the plant building, and the county owns the soccer fields.

Currently, Union County Recreation Department (Rec. Dept.) doesn’t offer a soccer program, but MUSA provides the sport to citizens of the county. MUSA will lease the property for ten years and can now apply for grants and loans to develop the 12 acres to grow the program in Union. The Rec. Dept. will also help MUSA to clean up the soccer fields and get everything up to date.

“We’re excited about it. The soccer league is excited about it. [Panel Built] has agreed to help us anyway they can [to improve access into the property], stated Paris.

The purchase showcases the continued efforts provide renovated recreational facilities into the county with the recent construction of a double gym, pickle ball courts, and new pavilion at Meeks Park.