Council to Consider Sports Park Proposal

On a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, the City Council tonight will consider starting the design and environmental review process for a proposed 100-acre regional sports park at the east end of the city.

The proposed site for the park is on private property at Telegraph and Kimball roads.

Council members will also be asked to authorize the design process and environmental review for a housing development on 87 1/2 acres of city-owned land at Telegraph Road and Petit Avenue.

City officials hope that selling the land to a private developer will fund at least half of the sports park project, which is expected to cost about $25 million for construction and land acquisition.

The rest of the project, according to staff reports, would be funded through the city’s capital improvement fund.

The council will be asked to authorize $146,000 for design and environmental review services for both projects.

The ultimate fate of both proposals, however, lies in the hands of the voters. Because both sites are zoned for agricultural use, approval depends on a Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources vote, mandated by Ventura voters in 1995.

A SOAR vote is expected by November 2000, and officials hope the design plans will help voters decide.

If approved, the park could include soccer, football and softball fields, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, trails and a children’s play area. The housing development may consist of high-end homes, with lots of at least one-half acre each.