Vista Community Sports Park

Construction began on the Sports Park Project on January 6, 2009.  Please see below for the latest Construction photos and a link to previous photos.

January 6, 2009- Preliminary work begins

Background

On November 7,2006, Vista voters passed a half-cent sales tax measure to generate additional revenues to support a number of community services needs. One of the needs identified from the community was additional fields for youth sports. Vista has not built a park since 1997, yet the population and recreational needs of the community continue to grow. Currently there are approximately 8,000 youth receiving the many benefits of playing organized sports in Vista; however, based on the population of Vista, the City is deficient in meeting the park standards that have been established by the National Recreation and Park Association. In addition, Vista has fewer regulation soccer fields than neighboring cities. Based on these needs, as well as from extensive community input, a sixteen acre Sports Park is being planned for the northwestern portion of Vista on a City-owned undeveloped parcel.

The City has owned the 32-acre parcel since 1986, but to date has been unable to gain access to the parcel as it is landlocked by private and County-owned properties. A private housing developer, Concordia Homes, is in the grading and improvement plan process for a new housing subdivision, Adobe Estates, adjacent to the City's property. The housing development will provide access to the park site. Although the property is 32 acres, the Sports Park will be developed on sixteen of the acres, leaving the remaining area, which is mostly wetlands, as undeveloped open space.

The conceptual site plan maximizes the space for the active uses, while designing the remaining space for passive uses. The park plan includes two synthetic turf soccer/football fields, one pony/colt baseball field, two multi-use ball fields, viewing and picnic areas and a tot lot, parking for approximately 220 vehicles, a general purpose building that will accommodate restrooms, concessions and league storage, and a parks maintenance building. The plan also includes a 20,000 square foot building pad for the future construction of a community center. A trail will be incorporated around the site's perimeter that will connect to San Diego County's Guajome Park to the northeast. The park site will be fully accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The firm David Volz Design is contracted to provide for schematic design, design development, construction document preparation, assistance during bidding, and construction administration services. The services provided by the firm include architectural design, civil engineering, structural engineering and mechanical, electrical and plumbing design.

It is expected that the park will be ready for use in 2010, however this schedule is dependent on the timely completion of the grading that will be required prior to park construction, which is tied to the Concordia Homes project. The grading is scheduled to begin in September 2007, and will take nine to twelve months to complete.

The City Council will be considering a design-build contract for the Sports Park in June 2008. This contract will cover the balance of the design and pre-construction services.