October 7, 2001
Section: NEIGHBORS
By Marsha Hart - Neighbors Staff Writer
Plans are in the works to create a regional sports facility at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks.
Lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, softball, baseball, swim meets and world-class track and field events are envisioned for a new "Field of Dreams" at the high school.
The Bella Vista Bronco Athletic Booster Club came up with the idea last year for the $1.2 million project to upgrade the school swimming pool and add softball and soccer fields, a concession stand and restrooms near the football stadium, and an all-weather regulation track.
On Sept. 11, the Board of Supervisors agreed to allocate $300,000 in Transient Occupancy Tax funds, generated from hotel taxes in the unincorporated area of the county, toward the project with the stipulation that an all-weather regulation track be part of the next phase completed.
Project manager Clay Taft, former president of the booster club, said he would like to finish the track by the end of December.
The first three phases of the eight-phase project have been completed, including a football stadium with lights and renovations to the swimming pool. A complete upgrade of the pool is planned.
"We commissioned an architectural firm to draw up a schematic in December last year," Taft said. "They drew up plans and said we could have a primo place. It became something we could go out and sell to the public."
Much of the work for the project is being donated, Taft said, including survey work on the fields and the design of the track.
"If there is someone out there who wants to get involved, they can give me a ring," Taft said. "This is really for the community."
Larry Masuoka, director of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District, whose four daughters ages 4 to 11 will attend Bella Vista, said he is excited to see the project develop.
"What we have here is a long-term plan to develop a regional sports facility and it will be an investment of at least $1.5 (million) if not $2 million," Masuoka said. "It's going to be great for women's sports. My daughters will go there and the swimming pool is going to be upgraded to a 10-lane, 25-meter pool."
Taft said county Supervisor Roger Niello supported the project.
"Roger Niello really went to bat for us," Taft said. "He said he thought it was a key initiative for this district."
Niello said a regional sports facility would benefit the entire community.
"This is a central location for Fair Oaks, Orangevale and Citrus Heights and Carmichael," Niello said.
The all-weather regulation track could attract more than just high school and community sports, Taft said.
"This will be a nine-lane track for use in track and field events for high schools and senior athletes," Taft said. "We hope it will become a practice location for the Olympic trials, and there is interest in partnering with Mercy San Juan Hospital for cardiac rehab."
Although the money from the county isn't nearly enough to finish the project, Taft said it will help.
The school also is trying to attract corporate sponsorships. Nine corporate logos could be placed on lanes of the track for a $10,000 donation from each company featured. The money would be applied to the next phase of the project: the soccer field.
"We probably need another $800,000 to finish it," Taft said. "There are eight phases, and the first four are either complete or in construction."
The latest fund-raising effort by the school on behalf of the project is the Bronco Brick. Bricks can be purchased for $15 to $30, depending on the number of letters of engraving desired. Engraved bricks will be placed in the school quad between the snack bar and restrooms, said Principal Marlyn Pino-Jones.
"We still have to keep raising money," Pino-Jones said. "Anything can go on the bricks. I'm going to do one. We have a staff member who just lost her husband. It could be anything on the brick. It could be 'Congratulations on your graduation.' "
The school has raised $70,000 during the past two years through fund-raising events designed for the "Field of Dreams," she said.
"We are very excited that it will bring the community in," she said. "I strongly believe in partnerships and the optimum use of a facility."
Marsha Hart can be reached at (916) 348-2746 or mhart@sacbee.com.