Foundation Gives Details on Olympic Site Choices

Backers of a San Diego-based U. S. Olympic training center confirmed Wednesday that they have narrowed their choice for the facility to two large tracts on either side of the Lower Otay Reservoir, east of Chula Vista.

One site is a 154-acre parcel in the EastLake development on the western side of the reservoir. The other is a 200-acre tract owned by United Enterprises on the eastern side of the reservoir.

Representatives of the San Diego National Sports Training Foundation unveiled the details of their two choices in a press conference a day after news reports disclosed that land around the Lower Otay Reservoir had been secured for the facility.

San Diego City Councilwoman Gloria McColl, spokeswoman for the foundation, said in the press conference Wednesday that both of the reservoir tracts have been offered as donations.

She said the foundation, which is spearheading the drive to build the center, will settle on its final choice by Nov. 14, when it is scheduled to make its final proposal for the facility to the U. S. Olympic Committee in Minneapolis.

Last spring, San Diego civic leaders were given the nod by the Olympic committee to build the training center. The foundation scouted 30 sites, said McColl, then settled on seven before winnowing the field to the final two.

Speaking at a press conference in the Hall of Champions at Balboa Park, McColl said Wednesday that the South Bay was chosen for the the training center because of the large tracts available. Foundation members, who are depending on private donations to finance the facility, wanted at least 150 acres because “we didn’t want to pile one building on top of another.”

McColl said the first phase of the training center should be completed by the spring of 1991, in ample time for U. S. amateur athletes to use it before the 1992 Summer Olympic games in Barcelona, Spain. The first phase, which will cost an estimated $10 million to $30 million, will include residence halls, a dining area, playing fields, administrative buildings, a track, an aquatic complex and an indoor training facility.

At the November meeting, the Olympic committee is scheduled to take its final vote approving the center.