NEWS > LOCAL

San Jose Earthquakes officials have shelved plans to build a training center on Condit Road in Morgan Hill.

"The way the economy is going, we're in a holding pattern," said David Alioto, executive vice president of the major league soccer team. "We're not going to take on anything new."

The San Jose Earthquakes' plans to possibly open a training center at 16695 Condit Road first became public in January when the Morgan Hill Planning Commission recommended to approve permits for the center, which would be located at 16695 Condit Road at the site of the former Golden Oak Restaurant, a longtime Morgan Hill institution.

Plans included two and a half acres of professional-quality natural turf for practice, and converting the restaurant into a weight and cardio facility, treatment rooms and personnel offices. There was also talk of the Earthquakes taking over operations of the city's Outdoor Sports Complex, which of course have also been tabled.

Mayor Steve Tate said he understood the Earthquakes' decision.

"I hope it eventually works out," Tate said.

Earthquakes officials had indicated that they were working exclusively with Morgan Hill.

Alioto said there was no other reason than the economy for the hold-off.

"The city has been fantastic to work with," he said. "We were just going to spend a significant amount of dollars, and if (the economy)'s only going to get worse - it just didn't make sense with how things are going. The numbers just didn't pencil."

By March, the Earthquakes had spent about $60,000 in assessments and city fees for the site, according to team partner Keith Wolff.

The Earthquakes are one of only 16 Major League Soccer clubs in America, and this would have been the first training center like it in Northern California.

"Right now, it doesn't matter what business you're in," Alioto said. "You don't want to spread too thin."

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Natalie Everett

Natalie Everett Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.

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