Atlanta Beat still mum on Kennesaw soccer site

The motion had barely been seconded when all five green bulbs lit up at once: Kennesaw State University’s ambitious plans for a $20 million soccer complex were given the unanimous approval of the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

The 5-0 vote Tuesday morning rezoned nearly 90 acres of KSU Foundation-owned land off George Busbee Parkway, Busbee Drive and Big Shanty Road for a facility that includes an 8,500-seat stadium, six other soccer fields, walking trails and picnic areas.

The stadium location has been mentioned as a possible home for the newly revived Atlanta Beat, who will begin play next spring in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

The commissioners approved the rezoning request without comment — their action was expected following a similar vote by the Cobb planning commission.

But the Beat still has not commented except to say that no decision has been made about a venue. The team did not have a representative at the zoning meeting.

“Where are we going to play? We don’t know yet is the official answer,” Beat general manager Shawn McGee told youth coaches at a Saturday meeting of the Georgia State Soccer Association. “It’s not a big secret that there have been talks with Kennesaw State, but we’re still looking at other options.”

Beat owner T. Fitz Johnson, a Cobb resident, has said he wants his team to play in Cobb, which is among the youth soccer hotbeds in metro Atlanta. Neither he nor McGee has elaborated on any other possibilities.

KSU is expected to begin construction later this year with the intention of having the facility ready for the spring. The complex will also be the home to the school’s women’s soccer program.