John Narigi becomes Salinas Regional Soccer Complex's new president.

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex announced John Narigi, a key figure in Monterey County's hospitality industry and former WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca leader, as its new president on July 14.

Narigi takes the lead during the complex's major expansion, which includes the facility's participation in national tournaments and its campaign to add eight new fields. The SRSC is rallying for The Match campaign, a $3 million effort that’s part of the complex’s goals to become the largest sports facility of its kind between San Francisco and Los Angeles and to become a regional tournament-destination powerhouse. (Taylor Farms kickstarted the campaign, donating $1.5 million).

"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."

Currently, the complex serves more than 11,500 people each week, and it’s projected to nearly double to 20,000 once the new phase is operational. SRSC is a hot spot for local soccer clubs and leagues across age groups, including men’s, women’s and youth.

“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,” said Kurt Gollnick, board chair, in a press release. “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.”

One of the goals the complex seeks to achieve with the change of leadership is to strengthen its relationships with different groups and industries in the region, including ag and tourism.