FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          January 23, 2006

TOWN OF CARY TO HOST NEWS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE PLANNED RETURN OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TO TRIANGLE

WHAT:            WHAT:       The Town will host a news conference to announce the anticipated launch of a men’s professional soccer league expansion team.

WHEN:            Thursday, January 26, 2006

                        3 p.m.

WHERE:         Media Room at SAS Soccer Park in Cary , NC

                        201 Soccer Park Drive

WHO:              WHAT:            Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister and Rochester Rhinos Owner Chris Economides will announce the agreement, which is set to be voted on by the Cary Council later that same evening.

BACKGROUND:

The announcement follows a successful July 2005 exhibition game between the Rochester Rhinos and DC United that solidified the National Soccer League’s interest in bringing a professional team to North Carolina ’s premier soccer facility. 

SAS Soccer Park (originally called State Capital Soccer Park ) opened in May 2002 and was home to the Carolina Courage of the Women's United Soccer Association until the league suspended operations in September 2003.  The park includes a 7,000-seat stadium, seven fields, locker rooms, concessions, and a nationally recognized, competitive cross-country course.

The park is on 150 acres that the State of North Carolina leased to Wake County Government, which built the facilities using $14.5 million in countywide hotel room and prepared food and beverage taxes.  In August of 2004, the Town of Cary agreed to Wake County ’s request to take over the operation and maintenance of the facilities, which are just inside Cary ’s eastern town limits.

DIRECTIONS:

SAS Soccer Park is located at 201 Soccer Park Drive in Cary , NC —the south side of the 900 block of East Chatham Street .  From Raleigh and other points east of Cary , take Western Boulevard west out of Raleigh .  Cross over I-40.  Western Boulevard becomes East Chatham Street .  SAS Soccer Park is on the left.  From RDU International Airport and other points west of Cary , take I-40 east towards Raleigh .  Take the NC 54 exit (Exit 290) towards Cary .  Turn right onto Chapel Hill Road/NC 54 Turn left onto Trinity Road and then right onto East Chatham Street .  SAS Soccer Park is on the left.

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