San Francisco Sun

Mayor London N. Breed and Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), announced plans for a permanent training facility on Treasure Island at a joint press conference today. The franchise evaluated numerous locations over the past year before finalizing an agreement with San Francisco.

The training facility will contribute to ongoing redevelopment efforts on Treasure Island, managed by the Treasure Island Development Authority within the City Administrator’s Office and led by Wilson Meany of Treasure Island Community Development. The project aims to transform both Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island into environmentally sustainable neighborhoods with 8,000 new homes, including 2,200 affordable units, along with parks, trails, open spaces, restaurants, shops, and public art installations.

“We are proud to welcome Bay FC to be a part of Treasure Island and San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed. “Bay FC is bringing a whole new level of excitement not just to soccer in the Bay Area but to women’s sports. This also is another major success for Treasure Island.”

The privately financed training facility will enhance the development and sports programming planned for the island's redevelopment. Initial plans include three core training fields and facilities on eight and a half acres out of 40 designated for sports use. Existing users of these areas will continue their activities.

Designed specifically for women athletes, Bay FC's facility will be among few purpose-built training centers for women's sports in the U.S., serving players, coaches, and staff. It aims to complement existing youth recreational facilities on the island and support additional community activities.

“Treasure Island provides us an iconic location to continue to build an iconic club – it centers the Bay’s team literally in the middle of the Bay,” said Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “Having a permanent dedicated space that is built specifically for our players and football operations staff will allow us to continue to attract the best national and international talent.”

Treasure Island represents a significant portion of San Francisco's housing production goals. Nearly 1,000 homes are open or near completion as part of Stage 1 construction efforts that include parks, utilities, public art, streets, and ferry service. By 2025, approximately 1,208 market-rate and affordable housing units are expected to be completed.

Completed projects include:

- The Bristol: 124 market-rate condominiums on Yerba Buena Island.

- Maceo May Apartments: 105 affordable rental units for veterans.

- Townhomes and Flats: Available this spring.

- Star View Court: 138 affordable housing units by Catholic Charities.

- Isle House: 250 rental apartments available from June 2024.

Under construction:

- 490 Ave. of the Palms: 148 condominiums.

- Hawkins: 178 rental apartments.

Legislation co-sponsored by Supervisors Matt Dorsey and Rafael Mandelman was approved in May to accelerate public revenue into Stage 2 development without reducing community benefits.

Bay FC aims to break ground on its state-of-the-art facility in 2025 with operations starting in its 2027 season pending approval from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Regular season matches will continue at PayPal Park in San Jose until then.

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