The Seattle Sounders are looking for a new home, and Poulsbo should roll out the red carpet for them. There’s confirmed rumors floating around the community that Seattle Sounders owner Robin Waite is currently in the design stages for a stadium that would seat 5,500 to 6,000 people. Waite is eyeing a spot on Urdahl Road at the northeast corner of Finn Hill Road.

Right now, the project is in the pre-application stages and is many, many ladder rungs away from being a reality.

Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade is open to the idea, but wants more details about the venture and wants to gauge the community’s opinion.

Let us be the first to check the “Yes, please,” box.

The Seattle Sounders, and their $1 million annual operating budget, are currently the reigning United Soccer League Division 1 champions, which means they already have a proven track record. Soccer has a fan base like no other here in North Kitsap. As evidence, look no further than our annual Viking Cup over Memorial Day weekend, which is a celebration of all things soccer. Last year, in its 23rd year, the event took up every available patch of grass in Poulsbo and the surrounding community. The official tally of teams was 107, above and beyond the 90 that competed the previous year.

This community loves soccer and would definitely rally around a hometown team.

Besides just giving the community as a whole something to rally around, if the Seattle Sounders were to move to Poulsbo, the financial gain for the local economy would be significant.

The organization has an operating budget of $1 million. But that doesn’t take into account that locals and visitors alike would spend money on tickets, logo wear and snacks and beverages at the games. Those following their hometown teams to Poulsbo would book hotel rooms, take up seats at local restaurants, and be exposed to Poulsbo’s charm. They’d likely make a note to come back, maybe when they could spend an entire weekend, which would translate into more money in the local economy.

Waite is also taking a proactive approach, as he’s already met with the city and neighboring property owners to discuss parking and infrastructure issues.

Yes, it’s in the planning stages. The first step toward bringing a new soccer stadium to Poulsbo is to rally support around the idea.

We’re all in.