Indoor soccer’s San Diego Sockers (MASL) are pitching the construction of a new arena in Oceanside, with plans for the venue to host matches and other events.
Under the current proposal from the Sockers, a new arena would be constructed within Oceanside’s SoCal Sports Complex. The venue would be designed to host multiple types of events in addition to indoor soccer, including concerts and high school sports, while capacity could range from 5,000-8,000 depending upon what event is taking place at the arena.
The proposal has been not finalized, as it is in the staff-review stage with Oceanside officials. For the time being, there are still a few key details on the planned arena that remain unknown–including its cost estimate–but Sockers officials are touting some of the benefits they believe would come from the project. More from the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Sockers General Manager Sean Bowers said that in addition to the soccer team, the facility could host events ranging from concerts to CIF high school contests and championships.
“For sure, we’ll be a multi-faceted arena,” Bowers said. “The scope of what we’d like to do is broad. We want to evolve as an up-and-coming arena.”
City documents show that San Diego real estate-development company Sudberry Properties has handled planning and management of the project for Sockers ownership. Records indicate an addendum to the El Corazon planning document was filed May 28, adding “the word ‘arenas’ to allowable uses in the commercial recreation and entertainment districts.”
Bowers said the capacity of the multi-level facility could range from 5,000 up to 8,000, depending on the event, by adding floor seating, standing-room areas and more.
The Sockers currently play home games at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena, a venue that is home to minor-league hockey’s Gulls (AHL) along with indoor football and lacrosse teams, and hosts concerts and other events. As envisioned, the Oceanside arena would be smaller than that venue.
