A day after Monday’s announcement that New York City FC would play its debut season in Yankee Stadium, the MLS expansion side got approval Tuesday night for a Westchester training ground.
“This is another important and exciting step in the evolution of New York City FC,’’ NYC FC Chief Business Officer Tim Pernetti said in a statement. “Our mission is to build a world-class MLS club, and approval of a first-class training facility ensures that we will have the resources needed to develop a football club that New Yorkers can be proud of.’’
The team – which is co-owned by the Yankees and English Premier League power Manchester City – had filed a petition with the Harrison Planning Board in February to renovate and use land at Manhattanville College, and received approval Tuesday by a 4-2 margin.
“We are excited about the prospect of partnering with the community in Harrison … and Manhattanville College,” Pernetti said. “From the beginning of this process, we have been solely focused on creating a relationship that is beneficial for the community, Manhattanville College and NYCFC.”
New York City FC – which opens MLS play in 2015 – has a five-year deal, with two renewal options at one or two years. The plan includes renovation of the existing fields, the college gym and the addition of another field where there is currently a tennis court. The team also will take over 35 parking spaces.
The bid also calls for possible use for New York City’s youth academy and occasional exhibition matches. There was reportedly local opposition at Tuesday’s finalization of the deal, none more vocal than Purchase Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) Chairman Michael Tokarz.
“You are approving more than a renovation of a locker room and soccer fields. You’re approving a wholesale change of character of the Manhattanville College Campus. This is a corporate takeover,’’ Tokarz told the Lohud Journal News.
He expressed concern over traffic and questioned NYC FC’s intentions.
“This is major league sports on a small, college campus in a rural, little hamlet. They are going to take over,’’ Tokarz told WCBS 880. “This is a famous place. So here we are, we’ve got a situation where they are changing the character of the whole neighborhood and the whole area.”