Moorpark Will Consider Reducing Park Plan

The Moorpark City Council on Wednesday will consider scaling back initial construction on a widely anticipated 69-acre city park to cut costs and have at least part of the project completed by the city’s 10th anniversary celebration this summer.

Original plans for Arroyo Vista Community Park, located on Tierra Rejada Road near Moorpark High School, had called for simultaneous construction of a recreation center and gymnasium totaling 15,000 square feet.

The project has twice been put out for bids, but the city is considering rejecting the latest slate of bids and soliciting a third round just for construction of the gymnasium because of problems with contractors.

Mayor Paul Lawrason said he hoped that the city could get moving on construction, but said he saw no need to forge ahead to meet the original July deadline if it meant that the city would overpay for the work.

“I am a little distraught at the way this whole thing has gone, frankly,” Lawrason said. “I don’t want to be the guy standing in the way of everybody walking into the building on July 1. But I will stand in the way if I’m not sure we’re making all the right decisions and getting the product at the right price.”

The project is estimated to cost the city $2.7 million, said Councilman Scott Montgomery. About four months after the gymnasium opens, Montgomery said the city hopes to open the second building, which will contain storage facilities, offices, conference rooms, restrooms and an atrium area.