Field Hockey Facility to Be Built at College

The Ventura County Community College District Board has approved a contract between the district and Field Hockey Federation Inc., paving the way for construction of a world-class field hockey training facility at Moorpark College.

Under the contract, the artificial turf field will be financed and built by the county’s Field Hockey Federation, which will also have first shot at using the facility during most of the daylight hours on weekdays and weekends. The 60- by 100-yard regulation-size field may be laid out and ready to use by May, said Walt Robbins, a federation vice president.

The first phase of construction, which includes the field and a fence around it, will cost the federation $500,000, Robbins said. The organization still needs to raise money for a combination snack stand and office, and possibly some bleachers, which it hopes to add later, he said.

The federation--with 600 players between the ages of 6 and 57--has produced many of the top male field-hockey players in the nation. At present, federation players play on grass fields, putting the players at a disadvantage in world-class competitions where artificial turf is preferred, Robbins said.

“It’s important for us to have an international-quality field in the area so that our players can compete with other players in the world,” Robbins said.

The new facility will be near Moorpark College’s football stadium. Moorpark College President James W. Walker said he and the college community are thrilled by the prospect of the addition.

“This is a total world-class facility that will encourage young people and their parents to come on campus, see a world-class field hockey game, and perhaps come back one day as students,” Walker said.