SALINAS, Calif. — The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex announced on July 14 that John Narigi has joined the organization as President, bringing more than three decades of executive leadership in hospitality, major public venues, economic development, community partnerships, and organizational growth to one of California’s fastest-growing community sports facilities.
Narigi joins the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex during a defining year as construction advances on eight new fields, The Match campaign continues to rally community investment, and the facility prepares for one of the largest tournament and event years in its history. The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex currently serves more than 11,500 community members each week, with weekly use projected to grow to more than 20,000 as the next phase of development is completed.
The eight-field expansion is part of a larger vision to build the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex into the largest facility of its kind between Los Angeles and San Francisco, creating more access for children and families, more quality fields for youth and adult players, more opportunities for girls’ and women’s leagues, and a stronger regional tournament destination that supports local hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and the broader Salinas Valley economy.
Narigi’s experience leading complex, high-visibility venues in Monterey County will support the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as it grows into an even larger destination for recreation, competition, health, tourism, and economic activity. During his leadership at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Narigi helped strengthen operations, build partnerships, improve the guest experience, support major capital planning, and work with government and community stakeholders around one of Monterey County’s most visible public venues. His hospitality background, including executive leadership at Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, brings deep experience in service, operations, guest experience, revenue generation, and team development at the exact moment the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is preparing to serve ten thousand more people each week and nearly a hundred thousand visitors through tournaments and special events.
“On behalf of the board, I could not be more pleased to welcome John Narigi as President of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex,” said Kurt Gollnick, Board Chair. “John is a proven leader who understands how to bring people together around a shared vision, and he brings the kind of operational experience, community credibility, and personal commitment to mentoring young people that matters deeply to this organization. As the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex enters this next chapter of growth, John’s leadership will help us serve more children, more families, more players, and more community partners with the care, discipline, and ambition this work deserves.”
“The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is at a remarkable inflection point,” Narigi said. “The foundation has been built, the community has embraced it, and now the opportunity is to help shape what it becomes over the next decade and beyond. The board’s commitment to that vision is inspiring, and the momentum behind everything happening here made this an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. After spending much of my career on the Monterey Peninsula, I have developed a deep appreciation for the Salinas Valley and for the opportunity to help strengthen the connections across our county. Being part of a project that is growing alongside the community it serves, with so much potential still ahead, is both exciting and deeply meaningful.”
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex has become a central gathering place for youth soccer, adult leagues, women’s leagues, tournaments, community health events, partnerships, and family-centered recreation. Its growth reflects the immense demand for safe, accessible, high-quality places where children and adults can play, train, compete, connect, and build healthy habits close to home.
The Match, a $3 million campaign launched with a $1.5 million challenge gift from Taylor Farms, is helping fund the next eight fields and critical supporting infrastructure. The campaign is part of the organization’s broader effort to continue building a 68-acre community asset that serves local families while positioning Salinas as a major regional sports destination.
Narigi’s leadership will help the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex deepen relationships across business, agriculture, hospitality, civic leadership, philanthropy, and the broader community as the organization works to meet rising demand, expand tournament activity, and grow a facility rooted in youth development, health, connection, and economic vitality.
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s next chapter is being built around the momentum of a community that is already showing up by the thousands every week. With John Narigi’s leadership, the organization is expanding its capacity to serve more children, families, players, visitors, and community partners while advancing a vision that connects youth development, family wellness, regional tourism, economic impact, and the shared belief that Salinas deserves a world-class facility equal to the talent, energy, and potential of the people it serves.
About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 11,500 weekly users, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.
For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support, please visit https://salinassoccer.org
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