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Sports park closed until March for upgrades |
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Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator /
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Saturday, 27 October 2007 |
 Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator
The closure of the soccer pitch and baseball diamonds, which started Oct. 15, displaces several Patterson sports leagues, said Parks and Recreation Director Adrienne Chaney. However, the southern Patterson complex, which stands off Ward Avenue, will be able to host nighttime events when improvements are complete.
“The lights are huge,” said Steve Bradley, who helps run Patterson’s Youth Soccer Association. “We’re lucky to get an hour-and-15-minutes of practice in (before it gets dark).”
A flag football league, two youth soccer leagues and four adult teams are using other parks or schools while construction is under way, Chaney said.
The improvements should also address drainage issues and level portions of the baseball diamonds.
Funds running low
This is the last construction project the complex will likely see anytime soon, though many more improvements had initially been planned.
“We have zero money after this,” Chaney said.
She estimated another $10 million would be needed to complete the complex.
The master plan for the complex shows three pitches and six diamonds. There is now only a pitch and two diamonds.
“I have no idea where that (money) would come from,” Chaney said.
Patterson City Council authorized spending most of the remaining money designated for
the complex Sept. 18 when it approved $1.1 million for the lighting and field improvements. That money mainly came from Mello-Roos fees imposed on most of the new homes in Patterson, which are assessed in addition to regular property taxes.
Almost $97,000 came from impact fees charged to the developers of the Walker Ranch and Patterson Gardens housing developments. About $103,000 remains from those fees, which are the last of the sports park’s funding.
Project dragging on
Bradley, who has been involved in designing the complex, is frustrated with the process, which has stretched for more than a decade.
“I just want them to finish the sports complex,” Bradley said. “I’ve been on five different committees. We’re always looking at drawings and plans.”
He also said the timing of the closure was a bit awkward. PYSA only has about two weeks left in its season.
“We knew it was going to happen, but I thought we would be able to finish the season,” he said.
All in all, though, he said he’s happy that the work is being done.
“This is the kind of stuff the kids need,” he said.
Safety upgrades
The leveling of portions of the ball diamond also should address some safety concerns.
Before construction started, there was a slope close to the outfield wall. This could be a hazard for hustling outfielders trying to keep their eyes on the ball and avoid the fence.
Along with the level playing field, there will be a new warning track — a strip of dirt in front of the outfield wall — that will alert players when they’re approaching the wall.
The drainage improvements should mean the field will dry out in about a day after heavy rains, Chaney said. It now can take several days for the field to dry out.
To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at
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