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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 7, 2019 9:16:59 GMT -5
Why doesn't Concorde Fire have a park of their own?? I've never really heard a real answer to this, and because this forum is so knowledgeable, I thought I'd toss it out there to see if anyone knew the reason.
The clubs is one of the oldest, longest lasting clubs I know of in Georgia. I've been around soccer since I played as a kid (years and years ago) in the 80's, and even then Concorde was around and their reputation was just as strong as it is today. Most other clubs in that era are now defunct or have merged and created new names, but Concorde is still standing. With all of that time as a club, they still haven't invested in a place that can house the majority of there teams.
And yes, I know they have the central-based teams out of Ashford Dunwoody, but that is only about the size of 3 full-sized fields?? Most of the practices and games are held out of elementary and middle schools, and whatever small, one-off locations they can find... While other clubs that aren't as long-lasting or prestigious have sizeable, flagship locations.
So my question is ... Why is that?? Does anyone know?
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Post by soccermonster on Aug 7, 2019 10:48:21 GMT -5
I chuckle at this post as its always been a sore subject with the parents so I sit back and wait for the responses, as they are typically hysterical.  ~Concorde Lifer |
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Post by soccernotfootball on Aug 7, 2019 11:03:54 GMT -5
Does Ga Soccer Park count for anything? lol
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 7, 2019 11:29:02 GMT -5
I chuckle at this post as its always been a sore subject with the parents so I sit back and wait for the responses, as they are typically hysterical. ~Concorde Lifer I can see why it would be a sore spot. It would drive me crazy to have two kids at the same club and have their practices be in different places on a regular basis (one day per week is manageable). Also many of those fields have no bathroom access except possibly disgusting portapotties. |
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Post by infoguy on Aug 7, 2019 11:31:53 GMT -5
I don't know why, but it proves to me that fields has nothing to with being one of the best/popular clubs. Roswell SC has always tried to promote itself as one of the best clubs because of its fields. And while the fields are great, it's administration by the City places huge obstacles to the club's growth, etc. That's to say that field quality is a proven non-factor.
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Post by fridge on Aug 7, 2019 12:36:30 GMT -5
So, CF actually does have fields at Georgia Soccer Park where DA and ECNL play all games and are very very nice playing surfaces. Of course, it is not convenient for practice whatsoever.
That said, I think CF purchasing fields nearby have been thwarted by financial constraints and missed opportunities. Note that any land in the central perimeter is crazily expensive--say at least $400,000/acre and you need at least 5 acres for a couple fields and parking. So, that's $2.0 million without any improvements. TH has the same issue and besides the fields donated (I think) to them years ago in Buckhead, TH hasn't bought any other fields.
CF tried to buy the land behind Ashford Dunwoody but Marist swept in and took it from them. CF tried to buy an empty lot down the road but the community protested. I think it has studied other lots of land, but the development costs are crazy high. So, it's model has been to partner with schools, etc. and rent fields. Frankly, isn't that the UFA model? The difference is that the outer perimeter keeps developing with new public parks and so, a great opportunity for a club like UFA to come in and partner for the fields.
That's my two cents....
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Post by soccerguru on Aug 7, 2019 12:44:08 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago.
However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct
CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice
UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth
GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track
AFU--Fields owned by county
RYSA--Own their fields
InterAtlanta--?
AFC-- Fields owned by County
GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own.
SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county)
Smyrna -- Fields owned by County
LSA --Fields owned by County
And please add other clubs you're affiliated with.
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Post by SoccerMom on Aug 7, 2019 13:01:06 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago. However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track AFU--Fields owned by county RYSA--Own their fields InterAtlanta--? AFC-- Fields owned by County GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own. SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county) Smyrna -- Fields owned by County LSA --Fields owned by County And please add other clubs you're affiliated with. For UFA Forsyth - South Forsyth Complex is also a county park. Polo is rented out, however the fall season is the last season there. The fields were sold and they're building houses there. Theres another park being built near Fowler |
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 7, 2019 13:02:43 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago. However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track AFU--Fields owned by county RYSA--Own their fields InterAtlanta--? AFC-- Fields owned by County GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own. SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county) Smyrna -- Fields owned by County LSA --Fields owned by County And please add other clubs you're affiliated with. I also know Cherokee Impact has fields that are owned by the county but are leased to and run by the club. As you stated, many counties are similar in that they offer up locations to clubs... Why doesn't that happen with CF? Also, there was a thread on here in the spring about the Chiefs program having new fields built for them and it was mentioned that they will be getting some new ones over in the Sandy Springs/Ashford-Dunwoody area in the coming year... what is preventing CF from having something like that?? |
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Post by Keeper on Aug 7, 2019 14:21:11 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago. However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track AFU--Fields owned by county RYSA--Own their fields InterAtlanta--? AFC-- Fields owned by County GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own. SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county) Smyrna -- Fields owned by County LSA --Fields owned by County And please add other clubs you're affiliated with. Inter Atlanta owns Arizona outright. Smyrna / Nasatophat-Smyrna are owned by the city of Smyrna and supposedly in a legal battle as they are to be used only by a city organization and not a private group like NTH. Gsa South/Lilburn are privately owned and Gsa North/Dacula is county owned. All-In (Sugar Hill & snellville) both use City owned fields Ssa - Mudcreek, tramore, Marathon, Hubert - County owned. Don’t think ssa owns any fields, all city/county owned. |
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Post by Keeper on Aug 7, 2019 14:30:19 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago. However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track AFU--Fields owned by county RYSA--Own their fields InterAtlanta--? AFC-- Fields owned by County GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own. SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county) Smyrna -- Fields owned by County LSA --Fields owned by County And please add other clubs you're affiliated with. I also know Cherokee Impact has fields that are owned by the county but are leased to and run by the club. As you stated, many counties are similar in that they offer up locations to clubs... Why doesn't that happen with CF? Also, there was a thread on here in the spring about the Chiefs program having new fields built for them and it was mentioned that they will be getting some new ones over in the Sandy Springs/Ashford-Dunwoody area in the coming year... what is preventing CF from having something like that?? Yes Chiefs FC, the official Soccer program for the City of Dunwoody partnered up 4 years ago and will open the new Brook Run Turf fields this January. The main reason the city of Dunwoody chose them over Concorde was there was multiple former Concorde parents involved from the city and their disapproval over how Concorde operates. Plus Concorde was not willing to put any funding into the fields while Chiefs will be paying for the new playground and field/turf maintenance and replacement. |
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Post by mistergrinch on Aug 7, 2019 14:55:03 GMT -5
Have always hated playing away at CF.. behind some school or crappy city park with no bathrooms and a hike to parking. Embarrassing for such a big club.
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Post by rifle on Aug 7, 2019 17:48:32 GMT -5
Doesn’t NASA own their fields?
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 7, 2019 18:21:50 GMT -5
LSA fields are actually county/city combined ownership.
Sounds like pretty much every club is using county/city owned fields and renting. There are a few exceptions, but the majority are working together with a government entity. Why can Concorde not do that? Or, the more accurate question is, why DIDN'T Concorde do that? Seems like they just did not want to plan ahead, build relationships and respect with other organizations and offer some good money to secure some good fields.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 7, 2019 18:36:35 GMT -5
I think GSA are the only ones I know of that actually own their own fields(Lilburn). Most others use their non-profit status and community outreach angle to partner with the county/city to use the public parks. My question is why hasn't CF found a way to do this so as to have an actual home park close to where their customers/players are located aka on the northside instead of a great park 5 minutes from the border with Alabama where you're having to determine if you should pay mileage/per-diem for you coaches for a regular season game...
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Post by soccernotfootball on Aug 7, 2019 20:04:57 GMT -5
I think GSA are the only ones I know of that actually own their own fields(Lilburn). Most others use their non-profit status and community outreach angle to partner with the county/city to use the public parks. My question is why hasn't CF found a way to do this so as to have an actual home park close to where their customers/players are located aka on the northside instead of a great park 5 minutes from the border with Alabama where you're having to determine if you should pay mileage/per-diem for you coaches for a regular season game... Intown - Inter owns Arizona Ave. TYSA owns Granite. DDY's Avondale Dunaire is Dekalb Co. Parks and Rec. I believe Chief's Pleasantdale is Dekalb Parks/Rec as well. TYSA's Henderson is Tucker Parks/Rec. Are there any more inside the perimeter? |
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Post by soccerdad76 on Aug 7, 2019 20:52:30 GMT -5
>25 years ago Concorde played out of Chastain Park before they turned everything into baseball fields
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Post by Keeper on Aug 7, 2019 21:14:13 GMT -5
I think GSA are the only ones I know of that actually own their own fields(Lilburn). Most others use their non-profit status and community outreach angle to partner with the county/city to use the public parks. My question is why hasn't CF found a way to do this so as to have an actual home park close to where their customers/players are located aka on the northside instead of a great park 5 minutes from the border with Alabama where you're having to determine if you should pay mileage/per-diem for you coaches for a regular season game... Intown - Inter owns Arizona Ave. TYSA owns Granite. DDY's Avondale Dunaire is Dekalb Co. Parks and Rec. I believe Chief's Pleasantdale is Dekalb Parks/Rec as well. TYSA's Henderson is Tucker Parks/Rec. Are there any more inside the perimeter? Brookhaven FC uses Oglethorpe U’s field and Keswick which is owned by city of Chamblee, Buckhead Fc (YMCA) owns the Windsor Complex, SSA Northside uses the Galloway School, SSA Dekalb uses Midway Park (Dekalb Parks), and the old SMYSA Fields at Wade Walker Park (Dekalb Parks) are shared with Inter Atlanta, DDY, Allianza, and Dekalb United YMCA. |
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Post by Keeper on Aug 7, 2019 21:17:02 GMT -5
Doesn’t NASA own their fields? NASATophat own Canterbury/United Quest Park, but not Noonday as that’s a Cobb county Park. They do own Metro North. Cy and Tophat Rec still own the Tophat Fields but they were not part of the Tophat takeover. |
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 7, 2019 22:37:57 GMT -5
So is there ANYONE that works at CF or that has been with them in the past know the answer(s)? Why dont they work with a county or govt. entity to have a place or places of their own?
There has to be someone willing to speak on their behalf...
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Post by atlsoccerdad on Aug 7, 2019 23:29:12 GMT -5
GA Soccer park is theirs, but its out in the middle of Nowhere!!!! The bottom line is $$$$$$. They chose to put it in their pockets instead of purchased land years ago. However, Let's see if we can list who owns what, I'm missing some fields, and may be incorrect about some others but feel free to correct CF--GA Soccer park but no one wants to drive there and practice UFA - Fields owned by county, or privately held (Polo Field) except South Forsyth GSA-- If they own the fields across from Parkview, it's a goat track AFU--Fields owned by county RYSA--Own their fields InterAtlanta--? AFC-- Fields owned by County GA Rush - Depends on which side of divorce your own. SSA -- ? ( I think they're owned by county) Smyrna -- Fields owned by County LSA --Fields owned by County And please add other clubs you're affiliated with. Does CF (the business entity) really own those fields, or does another company? I though they might be GB's property. |
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Post by fridge on Aug 8, 2019 7:34:33 GMT -5
Couple of further thoughts. First, no I don't think GB owns GSP. I looked at the GSP website and it indicates it is owned by a consortium of nonprofits including CF and Ga Flying Disc Club. GB and a handful of folks are on the board.
CF has practices at various parks and schools around the perimeter and north. I am not sure of a city park on the northern perimeter area large enough to host exclusively 10 soccer fields like say Fowler Park. That area is controlled by youth baseball and football. I do know that CF was close to a deal to run Blackburn Park and then, Dunwoody got city hood and the terminated that deal. CF rents those fields but it had a much bigger plan in store for that park. Again, not sure where else they could target. If you know of something, tell CF! All said, in the 08 down turn, that was a window to perhaps find some land, so perhaps a missed opp but I don't know the CF finances if it has $2 or $3 million squirreled away to develop a soccer park.
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Post by Keeper on Aug 8, 2019 10:44:00 GMT -5
Couple of further thoughts. First, no I don't think GB owns GSP. I looked at the GSP website and it indicates it is owned by a consortium of nonprofits including CF and Ga Flying Disc Club. GB and a handful of folks are on the board. CF has practices at various parks and schools around the perimeter and north. I am not sure of a city park on the northern perimeter area large enough to host exclusively 10 soccer fields like say Fowler Park. That area is controlled by youth baseball and football. I do know that CF was close to a deal to run Blackburn Park and then, Dunwoody got city hood and the terminated that deal. CF rents those fields but it had a much bigger plan in store for that park. Again, not sure where else they could target. If you know of something, tell CF! All said, in the 08 down turn, that was a window to perhaps find some land, so perhaps a missed opp but I don't know the CF finances if it has $2 or $3 million squirreled away to develop a soccer park. $2/3 million? Yeah Concorde’s war-chest is comparable to the Republican National Committee, except for Concorde actually pays for all of their expenses. With all the rental expenses and lost revenue from Concorde not having their own North Mt Carmel even if they dropped $10 million for a North Fulton/Dekalb Park theyd make it back within 10 years. |
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Post by allthingsoccer on Aug 8, 2019 12:38:54 GMT -5
Why would you even throw politics into this JumpKeep? Dont you get enough of that EVERYWHERE else. Would be nice to read a forum that is about soccer and not even mention politics.
Anyways, GB will never own fields. Heard he has a venture for a stadium across the street GSP (maybe Uncle Arthur could be involved) and will be for tournaments.
He's had opportunities but like other posters have said. Beat to the punch, road blocks etc.. But if he really wanted them he could get them.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 8, 2019 13:23:27 GMT -5
Why would you even throw politics into this JumpKeep? Dont you get enough of that EVERYWHERE else. Would be nice to read a forum that is about soccer and not even mention politics. Anyways, GB will never own fields. Heard he has a venture for a stadium across the street GSP (maybe Uncle Arthur could be involved) and will be for tournaments. He's had opportunities but like other posters have said. Beat to the punch, road blocks etc.. But if he really wanted them he could get them. Why does it have to "he"?? As in... if "he" wanted them he could get them?? How about the parents and kids that want them and pay money so that fields (good fields) can be provided?? and don't get me wrong, other clubs have there own problems with not meeting parents needs for other things... this just happens to be about CF at the moment. There has never been transparency to the customer in Ga. soccer clubs, very, very frustrating that they don't seem to listen or communicate that they have listened! |
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Post by allthingsoccer on Aug 8, 2019 13:44:52 GMT -5
Because I'm speaking about "he", GB the owner.
They "Concorde", "he" GB, doesn't care. They/He really doesn't.
Parents do for sure. Oh yes. Even some of the Directors (no longer with Concorde) wanted change. But... GB doesnt want that. He's happy to pocket the $$.
I foresee that NASA gets DA and Concorde losses it. GB doesnt even want it. (costs more money)
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Post by fridge on Aug 8, 2019 14:03:26 GMT -5
As someone noted above, CF is one of the top 2 girls clubs and top 3 boys clubs and so, the top 1 or 2 club in GA. Obviously GB has done a lot right. And certainly been nimble as CF always does manage to rent fields in its market place. One sure fire way to cause great heartache and make the club vulnerable to bankruptcy or bad decisions is to hang $2.0 to $5.0 debt over its head. For whatever reason, the market place has told GB that owning soccer complex in the northern suburbs is not important as families keep signing up for CF.
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Post by mightydawg on Aug 8, 2019 15:23:02 GMT -5
Concorde rents the fields at the only park in the area that has soccer fields--Blackburn Park, from the City of Brookhaven. The problem is that Dekalb County long neglected the North Dekalb area and did not build parks and amenities. Therefore, there is nothing to rent. Concorde has partnered with another governmental entity, the Dekalb County School Board to rent space a schools. This provides a benefit to the schools--nice fields for chilrden to play on, which are maintained by Concorde. Concorde did miss an opportunity with the City of Dunwoody. The Chiefs were willing to rent a plot of open grass to have practices in Dunwoody. When Dunwoody decided to build turf fields at Brook Run Park, the Chiefs had the inside advantage. Dunwoody also had a contract to buy land and build fields on the flood plain of Nancy Creek off of JOhnson Ferry. However, the neighbors complained to the County and it was voted down because of traffic and lights. If the vote was taken today with the City of Brookhaven in charge, it would likely pass.
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