Colton Approves Conceptual Plan for Sports Park

COLTON>> At its meeting of October 18, 2016, the Colton City Council approved the conceptual design for the proposed new Colton Sports Complex and Community Park. The design offers residents and users a glimpse of what a new sports complex could offer Colton’s residents in the future. “The sports park has always been a goal of the city council and we are following through with what Colton residents have asked for,” said Mayor Richard DeLaRosa. The city council, Recreation & Parks Commission and city staff have identified the need for a regional soccer complex and community park within Colton to meet the growing needs of the community. Currently, the City of Colton does not own a single soccer or football field to serve its community of more than 53,000 residents. The proposed Colton Sports Complex will provide a safe, well-maintained park, containing sports facilities geared toward soccer and football experiences for Colton family members of all ages. The 37-acre proposed park site is located within the City of Colton, accessible via Congress Street and adjacent to the Santa Ana River. It offers 5 full-size synthetic soccer fields, 3 mid-size natural turf soccer fields, 13 overlay small soccer fields, open space for community events, children’s play areas, restrooms, concessions and a multi-purpose fitness trail. Additionally, it will clean up a historically blighted area and address a range of grading, drainage and other challenging issues. The estimated cost for development of the proposed design is just under $18 million dollars, with funding sources expected to include multiple sources, including community fundraising and naming options, as well as public and private grants. The expected timeline for the project will vary depending on many factors, however the project could be ready for construction within two years. The conceptual design was developed by Integrated Consulting Group, Inc, a Chino Hills based firm, with input and feedback from city staff, city council, Recreation & Parks Commission, neighborhood residents and youth sports groups. Once the project is reviewed by regulatory agencies and further environmental studies, additional community meetings will be scheduled to discuss the next steps.