Oakland hires Tennessee Soccer Academy to run programs at new park; board debates fees and parking

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to enter into an agreement with Tennessee Soccer Academy to manage soccer programming at Oakland’s new park, which is nearing opening.

Tom Ellis said the operator will market the program, hire referees and coaches, and handle recreational and competitive soccer; the town will receive a per-player payment (staff cited $25 per recreational player and $40 for competitive players, with higher fees for sanctioned events). The manager said the private operator requested at least a two-year engagement to establish the program.

Board members discussed possible parking and concession revenue options. Ellis said the operator was not seeking parking or concession revenue as part of the proposal but that the town could choose to permit and regulate such revenue streams in the future; one alderman asked for written assurances that the town would not charge admission for recreational youth games and requested that any revenue arrangements be documented.

The board voted to approve resolution 2630; the vote was recorded as three yeses and one no (the vice mayor), and staff said the operator is expected to begin operations when the park opens.