The new California State University, Stanislaus Warrior Stadium facility and the hospitality features of the Turlock community were a big hit with participants in the November 5-7 California Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championship tournaments.
That added up to an economic plus for a number of Turlock businesses during the three-day, eight-team tournament and bodes well for how future events at the 2,300-seat stadium will attract dollars to the community. CSU Dominguez Hills won the men’s title and CSU Los Angeles captured the women’s championship in the tournament that also included men’s and women’s teams from Chico State, UC San Diego, CSU San Bernardino, and Sonoma State.
Conference officials were impressed with the facility as well as the accommodations in the community, and gave every indication that Warrior Stadium would be high on the list for future conference events.
“It’s a beautiful facility and the central location of CSU Stanislaus in the state is a really outstanding factor,” said Bob Hiegert, CCAA Conference Commissioner. “The stadium seating setup, the playing surface, and the ease of parking and access are excellent features. The hotels are conveniently located nearby and there are numerous eating places that make it a very convenient place for our conference to hold events like this.”
CSU Stanislaus President Ham Shirvani said the University anticipates that Warrior Stadium, which opened in August, will be in heavy demand for use by the University, the CCAA, and many off-campus groups from all over the state.
“Warrior Stadium is a wonderful facility, in a perfect location in the state, that will make it a very popular site for soccer, track and field, and other events,” CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani said. “This tournament is an example of the benefits of building a University community. People who attend events at the stadium will spend their money locally, at hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.”
Turlock Mayor John Lazar said Warrior Stadium is a great addition to CSU Stanislaus which is an important component of the local economy.
“CSU Stanislaus and its facilities are very important to Turlock at a time when we are striving to promote economic development through recreation and tourism,” Mayor Lazar said.
More than 70 rooms were booked by the eight participating CCAA soccer tournament teams from Northern and Southern California at Turlock’s Holiday Inn Express and Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels, according to Savannah Kelley, Sales Manager for the two hotels. In addition, a number of fans of the respective teams were also booked into the hotels.
“We were really excited to have the teams here and to see the hotels so busy,” Kelley said. “It was a great experience and we hope to have them back again next year.”
Turlock Chamber of Commerce statistics indicate that visitors who stay in local hotels spend an average of about $150 per person per day.
Turlock Chamber of Commerce statistics indicate that visitors who stay in local hotels spend an average of about $150 per person per day.
Hiegert said that the athletic directors and coaches from the participating teams were impressed with the stadium and the accommodations, an indication that they would favor the central location Turlock offers for future tournaments. He expects a decision on the 2010 tournament site to be made by early next spring.