FIREWORKS AND DIRT BLEW into the air over San Francisco’s Treasure Island as officials dug their shovels into the ground to commemorate the opening of a new training facility for Bay Football Club, the professional women’s soccer team also known as Bay FC.
Set to open by the team’s 2027 season, the facility was made possible through the collaborative effort of the team, private investment groups, and San Francisco leaders who said they wanted to make Bay FC one of the best organizations in the country while simultaneously redeveloping land on Treasure Island.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie enthusiastically welcomed people to the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday and said he hoped all organizations in his city make a positive impact in the community.
“For those of you who don’t know, San Francisco is a sports city. We show up for our teams and Bay FC has consistently shown up for our city,” said Lurie. “I want every organization in San Francisco committed to helping our community and Bay FC is a shining example of that.”
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey echoed the excitement for the arrival of Bay FC to the city’s District 6, which he represents.
“Historically District 6 supervisors haven’t had a lot of stuff to talk about when it comes to Treasure Island, and I find myself blessed in my three years here,” said Dorsey.
The 8.5-acre site is on the land of the former 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, which itself is located within a 40-acre zone already designated for sports on the island. The new facility is part of a broader effort to redevelop Treasure Island with more amenities and attractions.
The privately funded complex will house three training fields for players, nursing areas for mothers, dedicated nutrition and health services, and spaces for community events.
Funding for the training center was sourced through private organizations like the investment firm Sixth Street and its partner Bay Collective, which promotes itself as an organization that takes a holistic approach to building up sports teams to be the best they can be.
Bay Collective’s CEO Kay Cossington said Treasure Island was selected because the location could balance the team’s desires to have access to community engagement while still having a dedicated space to focus.
“We want this to be our home forevermore,” said Cossington. “We’re in the community but also got privacy that’s away from the hustle and bustle, to be really focused about what we want to do.”
The momentum of support behind Bay FC has been building up over the last two years since its establishment in 2023. On Aug. 23, the team sold out 40,091 seats at Oracle Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants, breaking the National Women’s Soccer League record for attendance.
Olympic medalist and current Bay FC defender Abby Dahlkemper spoke about what the groundbreaking of the facility means to her and what she hopes it signifies for the sport at large.
“Being able to bring more life to Treasure Island and to the greater San Francisco area, I think is just amazing,” said Dahlkemper. “I think (young females) need to be able to see it, to believe it. I think having it here is just going to be incredible.”
Across the street from the dirt lot is Life Learning Academy, a public charter high school working with students facing adverse life circumstances. During the ceremony, Bay FC officials reiterated their commitment to have students at the school work with their team as well as provide health and wellness opportunities.
“Let this serve as another significant moment, not only for the groundbreaking that we have here today, but as a moment for us to continue to grow together with Life Learning Academy, with our neighbors here on Treasure Island to help support our youth, to grow together in this new place that we get to call home,” said Bay FC co-founder Danielle Slaton.
The post Treasure Island training facility will become crown jewel for Bay FC women’s soccer team appeared first on Local News Matters.