Athletic Fields for School Gain Approval

The Orange Unified School District agreed this week to give the city a long-term lease to build athletic fields at McPherson Magnet School.

The project to build soccer, baseball, basketball and other athletic facilities on 18 acres of the school’s grounds had run into roadblocks for nearly a year.

First neighbors, then district trustees had reservations about potential noise and traffic, as well as arranging terms of the long-term lease for the $2.7-million project.

The City Council had approved the contract with the school district in October.

The school district approval of the deal this week comes after officials were able to negotiate a partial termination clause in the lease. The council is expected to approve the new arrangement Dec. 9.

“We had done a lot of homework,” said Gary Wann, the community services director who guided the plan through its approvals. “It’s very much a victory for everybody.”