The Elgin City Council gave initial approval to plans for the Illinois Youth Soccer Association to build a new headquarters and training facility at 909 S. McLean Blvd. The vote came during the council’s July 10 meeting.

The organization, currently based in Arlington Heights, is one of the largest youth sports groups in Illinois. It supports about 95,000 players, coaches and referees and oversees competitions and programs tied to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The $6 million to $7 million project will turn the former Bueche mobile home park into a modern, 10-acre athletic facility. Plans call for a one-story, 17,661-square-foot building with offices, classrooms and a physical therapy office. 

The property will also include a 78-foot-tall inflatable dome with an indoor turf along with a full-size outdoor turf field. 

The facility will mainly host youth soccer practices, training, games and tournaments on weekday afternoons, evenings and weekends. During off-hours, it may be used for other sports such as indoor golf, pickleball and cricket

Plans call for one main entrance on South McLean Boulevard and 156 parking spaces. The developer also has an agreement to use the nearby Moose Lodge parking lot during larger tournament weekends, expected four to six times a year.

Additional information will be announced as the project moves forward.