ADAMS TWP — The Mars School District will take 17 acres from MHY Family Services through eminent domain, but the school board members say it will preserve the Mars Area Soccer Club’s future.

The school board Tuesday evening voted to condemn the land on Three Degree Road across from the Mars Middle School.

The property contains three full soccer fields, which are used by the district for practice and by the soccer club, which is a community youth soccer program, for practice and games.

District solicitor Tom King said discussions have been ongoing with MHY Family Services for several years regarding the district buying the property, but the two entities couldn’t come to an agreement.

He said the district will pay MHY Family Services $780,750 for the property. The price is based on an appraisal of the land, King said.

Board President Dayle Ferguson said leaders of the youth soccer club have expressed concern that the land would be used for other purposes at some time by MHY.

“They were very concerned that they wouldn’t have a place to play,” Ferguson said.

She said the land could be blended with land bought a few years ago just north of Doc’s Way where new soccer fields are planned.

King said a field house has been discussed in the past for that area.

The land acquisition does not include a small piece of MHY property at the corner of Route 228 and Three Degree Road.

King said MHY officials have the opportunity to appeal the condemnation at county court.

“We hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said.