At the AYSO Region 174 Opening Day on September 8, 2012, Councilmember Mitchell Englander surprised the crowd with the announcement that he and his team had negotiated a 45 year lease for the fields used by the soccer and softball organizations. The fields are located at Balboa north of Woodley in Granada Hills. AYSO Region 174 had been struggling to recruit players during the last few years as parents wondered whether the fields would continue to be available. The lease for the fields had expired and there was talk of building new fields to the east of the 5 freeway.

Not only will the lease be renewed for 45 years, but Englander announced that his office was providing field improvements to the tune of $200,000 as evidenced by this check he presented to the AYSO Board Members. Players and parents alike were relieved and excited by this news.