ORANGE

A homeowners group has vowed to stop the city from opening new athletic fields at McPherson Magnet School next month. “We don’t have any intention of letting it open,” said Mark Burkhardt, co-founder of the McPherson Advisory Committee.

The $2.5-million athletic center includes five baseball diamonds with dugouts, fences and batting cages; four regulation-size soccer fields; volleyball courts; basketball courts; and a concession stand. Homeowners complain they have lost their views because lighting atop the field’s concession building and security poles is too bright. Burkhardt and other homeowners contend the project violates state environmental laws.

City Atty. David De Berry said that no laws were broken and that the project meets building and zoning codes. He said city officials will work with neighbors to discuss ways to lessen the project’s impact.