For nothing more than field maintenance, the 1,200-player strong Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club gets exclusive access to four soccer fields worth of land at the former Patrick Henry Middle School site.

"It was really exciting to know that we could play on this field and have control of it," said Cheryl Ching, whose 7- and 10-year old sons play soccer with the club. "We signed the agreement, but we haven't gotten to play there because we have to fix the fields first."

Before games can begin on the field some $50,000 worth of renovation is needed.

"If we could raise the money we need and get some professional help with the fields or even get volunteers, that's all we're trying to do," Ching said.

Renovation includes filling ruts and holes in the field, replacing grass, taking out old goals and installing new sprinklers. According to club president Charles Kluz, there is only enough usable space on the site right now for one full soccer field.

To raise money, the team is having a fundraising fair Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We hope to raise some money, but more importantly to get some attention for the club," Kluz said. "We want people to see the importance of the club and hopefully want to contribute to it."

Kluz said members of the San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team will be on hand to sign autographs and greet visitors, and they will be signing items for sale in a silent auction to run throughout the day. There will also be food for sale, games, and a dunk-tank full of the league's referees. Part of the funds raised could go towards installing a snack bar on the site to generate revenue for the club.

Ching said that without a central site like the Patrick Henry fields, the team has to scour Sunnyvale for open space, playing on "any field available." They regularly play at Ortega Park, Sunnyvale Middle School and any other areas with enough room for practices and games.

Kulz estimates that the four fields—when complete—will be able to handle all competitive games for the club, possibly handling half of the entire team's needs. There are currently 33 competitive teams, ranging from "Under-9" to "Under-17" leagues. Those teams regularly host opponents from outside the area, so quality fields are necessary if games are going to be held in town.

"We just want to make it a win for the neighborhood, for the families and for the kids, so they have a good, safe place to go play soccer," Ching said.

The space at the Patrick Henry site has been used for games for years, but lately the Santa Clara Unified School District—who owns the site—had been receiving complaints from neighbors about the trash, foul language and crowds that adult league games brought to the area.

Roger Barnes, business administrator for the school district, said that by turning control over to the club, they can prevent adult teams from using the field while guaranteeing that children can still use it. The team plans to take out the permanent goals and install moveable ones that can be locked up—away from the fields—when not in use, preventing casual use. Barnes said that outside groups can still use the field as long as they get permission from the club.

"We're glad to have the team there; we're glad to have Sunnyvale youth using the field; it just makes a lot of sense for us," Barnes said.

It also benefits the school district because with budget cuts affecting maintenance, the fields were falling into disrepair.

"All we do is water the fields, and we don't even have the money to replace the sprinklers and water systems," Barnes said.

Kluz said that if they can raise the funds or help is found, they hope to have the fields ready by spring. The process of renovating a field and replanting grass is not an overnight process.

The Oct. 10 fundraiser is at Patrick Henry Middle School 1095 Dunford Way and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Admission is free. For more information on the club, visit http://www.geocities.com/sunnyvalesoccer/.