eco park grand opening - press release

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NEWS RELEASE February 22, 2011

Contact: Cathy Connelly, Town of Taos, NM Public Relations Director

Phone:(575) 751-2001, email:[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Taos Eco Park Grand Opening Kicks Off

with NCAA & WCDA Soccer GamesHighest Altitude FIFA 2 Star Training Facility in the World

Taos, New Mexico (USA) The Town of Taos has announced Saturday, April 16, 2011,

as the Grand Opening of Taos Eco Park, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose synthetic turf field

complex, that for the opening of its first phase will host six soccer games including a National

Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Spring Exhibition game featuring regional rivals

University of New Mexico Lobos and University of Denver Pioneers Mens Soccer teams.

In addition to the NCAA Spring Exhibition game, elite youth soccer teams from New

Mexico will play Western Collegiate Development Association (WCDA) regular season games.

In December 2009, Taos Eco Park was awarded a FIFA 2 Star Field Certification by the

Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), often considered the United Nations

of Soccer with 208 affiliated countries. A FIFA 2 Star Field Certification guarantees that asynthetic fields quality, consistency of play and safety standards will mirror natural grass.

Taos has long been recognized as a mecca for artists and those who come to feel

inspired, and the Town will now be respected internationally as a premier sports and recreation

destination with one of the most challenging FIFA 2 Star facilities in the world, said Town of

Taos Mayor Darren Cordova. The Eco Park provides visibility for the Town, which will

generate visitation and a positive overall outcome for businesses and the community at large.

We are very excited to get the ball rolling and thank the Taos Municipal School District for their

partnership in helping to make this unique complex a reality.

The Grand Openings main event is the UNM Lobos squaring off against its regional

rival the Denver Pioneers. Our game versus the Denver Pioneers will be a great one, matching

two Division I NCAA Tournament teams for regional supremacy, said Jeremy Fishbein, UNM

Lobos Mens Head Soccer Coach. On behalf of Lobo Mens Soccer and the University of New

Mexico, our team is really excited to participate in the grand opening of Taos Eco Park.

-more-
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TAOS ECO PARK GRAND OPENING - PAGE TWO

The game schedule for Taos Eco Parks Grand Opening on Saturday, April 16, includes:

NM Rush SC U15 Boys v. Rio Vista FC U15 Boys 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

NM Rush SC U16 Boys v. Rio Vista FC U16 Boys 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

NM Rush SC U17 Boys v. Rio Vista FC U17 Boys Noon - 1:30 p.m.

NM Rush SC U18 Boys v. Rio Vista FC U18 Boys 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

UNM Lobos Mens Soccer v. Denver Pioneers Mens Soccer 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Taos United FC v. Rio Vista Millonarios U14 Boys 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

When we schedule games for our team we look at three main things; the opponent, the

facility and the community support and fan base. This game will provide all three of these

components, said Bobby Muuss, the Denver Pioneers Head Mens Soccer Coach.

In addition to the scheduled soccer games, the Grand Opening festivities will include

autograph signings by the UNM Lobos & Denver Pioneers(see team photos attached), live mediaevents, Hi-Pod Video recordings, hot air balloon rides, Taos High School Culinary Arts and

private food vendors, high altitude Taos Eco Tourism information/education including llamas

and a river rafting exhibit, Taos High School Earthletes environment exhibit, New Spin Tops or

trampo demonstrations, jugglers and music between soccer games, and other fun

sports/recreation/youth offerings, with free parking and admission.

The Town of Taos and Taos Municipal School District built the Eco Park as a joint

initiative to improve the areas quality of life/youth and adult recreation offerings, while creating

yet another economic driver for northern New Mexico visitation. In addition to training club,

professional and international soccer teams, Taos Eco Park was built as a multi-purpose complex

for the youth of the Taos community and as training grounds for other field sports such as

lacrosse, rugby and American football.

The soccer games at the Grand Opening will be very competitive and are a great

opportunity to showcase the Eco Parks new FIFA 2 Star field to New Mexicans and visitors

from Colorado, said Joel Israel, Executive Director of Taos Sports Alliance.

Taos Eco Parks synthetic turf system, manufactured by Shaw/Sportexe, is constructed

using a blend of grass-like fibers, composite backing and a mix of sand and rubber infill.

The Taos Eco Park FIFA 2 Star Field Certification is now posted on the official FIFA

website at www.fifa.com as a world class, high altitude training facility at 7,000 feet in elevation.

For more information or to reserve programming at Taos Eco Park, please contact:

Joel Israel, Executive Director, Taos Sports Alliance, (954) 567-8942 [email protected].

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About Town of Taos, New Mexico (USA)

Taos has long been sought after for its outdoor recreation, training opportunities and competitive sports - from

skiing to mountain biking from hockey to swimming to running and fishing. Additionally, Taos is a leading tourism

destination in the region. For more information on the Town of Taos, New Mexico (USA) visit

www.TaosVacationGuide.com
http://www.taossacredplaces.com/http://www.taossacredplaces.com/

eco park grand opening - press release

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