Scotts Valley OKs five-year rental deal for San Lorenzo Valley Soccer Club

The Scotts Valley City Council unanimously authorized a five-year rental agreement March 4 that gives the San Lorenzo Valley Soccer Club priority use of Skypark and Silton Park for regular club play.

Staff presented the contract as a continuation of long-standing arrangements, saying the five-year term provides stability for the league while helping the city recover part of the added maintenance costs for sports fields. “This item is a 5 year contract with the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley soccer club to use both Skypark and Silton Park for their regular club play,” a staff member told the council.

The staff report said the agreement is similar to prior years’ arrangements and carries a modest annual increase. City staff explained that the contract is intended to recoup about half of the additional costs the city incurs to maintain these fields at a higher standard than other parks.

Council members praised staff for negotiating terms that balance community access and fiscal prudence. One council member said the multiuse nature of the parks makes consistent, predictable agreements valuable for scheduling and field maintenance. Another thanked recreation staff for building security and operations details into the contract so that teams and the city can operate under the same expectations for the next four to five years.

The council asked if the city’s approach differed from other jurisdictions; staff said rental structures vary but consolidated multi-year agreements are common for major youth sports groups. After a public comment period with no objections, Committee member moved to authorize the city manager to execute the rental agreement and the motion passed unanimously.

The contract authorizes recurring use and includes cost-recovery provisions; no amendments were recorded at the meeting. The council did not set a reopening date for the parks in the contract discussion but noted upcoming youth sports opening-day events.