Play ball Play ball (January 07, 2005)

Council gives go-ahead to plans for three baseball fields on Bernal
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

The City Council unanimously OK'd a schematic design for 12 acres of the Bernal Community Park Sports Fields at its meeting Tuesday night. The design is for two fully developed, lighted baseball fields as well as one "casual use" baseball field, which also would be suitable for other recreational uses.

The budgeted amount for these 12 acres is $4.3 million, which is earmarked specifically for this work in the capital improvement budget. It will be the first step in building the Bernal Community Park, which is planned so far to eventually have 10 ball fields on 45-50 acres.

Jim Wolfe, director of Parks and Community Services, noted that the project is unusual for the Parks and Community Services Department because it includes building roads and other infrastructure. "Normally roads and infrastructure exist and we just come in and build the park," he said. The bulk of the $4.3 million cost will go toward the infrastructure.

Several members of sports groups addressed the City Council to lament the lack of fields in town.

"It's a big disadvantage in Pleasanton," said Mark Mullaney, a parent member of Ballistic United Soccer Club. "We only have one lit field. Danville has seven lit fields, San Ramon has five. Dublin will have four, and Livermore has two or three. We are at a distinct disadvantage."

Ted Kinzer, president of Pleasanton Pony Baseball, said, "Use of lighted fields is key for our sports group. We only have one now and we can't play on it if soccer is on it."

"I am the coach of the best 12-year-old baseball players in the area," said Hatch Graham. "In the area there are 16 teams so we portray the image of Pleasanton.... We're looked at as the best team around but without the support of fields."

Councilwoman Cindy McGovern questioned why the school facilities are locked, which one parent mentioned, and said it should be brought up at a liaison meeting with the school district. "I hate to think they are locked and no one can use them," she said.

The Bernal Community Park with lighted fields has gone through various planning stages since 2000, with original plans by RRM Design Group. The design competition for the entire city-owned 318 acres last year instructed competitors to integrate the design for the sports fields.

MD Fotheringham, the winner of the design competition, was asked for a design for the lighted fields portion of the property, which turned out to be similar to the first plan. In November it was presented to members of the original Bernal Community Park Master Plan Task Force, who prioritized the elements for budgetary purposes. Items lower on the list could be alternatives in case the park exceeds the $4.3 million budget.

The items were prioritized in this order: Ą Two-lane entry roadway, with paved parking for approximately 60 vehicles Ą Infrastructure (sewer, water, storm drainage, electrical, etc.) connecting park to Valley Avenue extension Ą Permanent restroom Ą Two fully developed, lighted baseball fields with "skinned" infields Ą Paved plaza connecting the two fields Ą Play apparatus areas, one for ages 2-5, the other for ages 6-10 Ą One casual-use baseball field Ą Lighted pathway and modest landscaping Ą Miscellaneous project enhancements

"We will be back through the Planning Commission and the council for review of the final documents for this and for approval to put it out to bid," Wolfe said.

The job will probably be put out to bid later this year, with construction beginning in late 2005 or early 2006.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.