MISSION VIEJO : City Deflates Soccer Celebration’s Budget

The City Council slashed a proposal to spend $33,900 on the gala opening for the U.S. Soccer team’s training facilities next month.

The council instead set aside $15,000 for the opening ceremony, which council members hope will attract Gov. Pete Wilson and media from around the globe to the Sept. 11 event.

Although soccer advocates called the ceremony a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to get worldwide attention, council member Joseph D. Lowe pondered the wisdom of spending “$33,000 to put Mission Viejo on the map--that’s a mighty expensive ad campaign.”

City officials were told to come up with creative alternatives to provide services such as van shuttles to the ceremony site at Oso Viejo Park and grandstands for the expected crowd of about 5,000.

“I think we can make some cuts,” said council member Sharon Cody. “I’m not convinced we need to spend the money, no matter how fabulous the day will be.”

The hourlong ceremony will start with 3,000 Mission Viejo children parading from the city’s community center in the park to the soccer field. The youths will put on a sign show using cards similar to those seen at football games.

After speeches, soccer fans and members of the U.S. World Cup team will mingle during a barbecue sponsored by the Mission Viejo Soccer Foundation.

City officials have invited 400 VIPs and expect about 200 media representatives to attend.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Mission Viejo, and we want to get something positive out of it,” said Philip Serrins, a soccer foundation representative who urged the council to approve the higher amount. “This will represent Mission Viejo to the world. We have one shot and it’s over.”

Larry Gilbert, a resident who often appears at council meetings to chastise council members about the city’s spending habits, was strongly opposed to the event’s proposed cost.

“Somehow, we seemed to have lost the (phrase) fiscal responsibility, “ he said before the council’s vote. “At some point, we have to be a little more concerned with how we spend money in this city.”