Cowboys returning to Oxnard this summer

The ‘Boys are back in town.

But only for a summer.

The Dallas Cowboys announced Friday that, because of a scheduling conflict in San Antonio, they will return this summer to a four-acre facility in Oxnard to stage training camp before returning to Texas for future camps. The team trained in Oxnard, on fields adjacent to the Marriott Residence Inn River Ridge, in 2001 and from 2004-2006.

“This is a great opportunity for us to reconnect with our fans in Southern California, not to mention the beautiful weather out there,” said Stephen Jones, Cowboys vice president.

Team officials knew this conflict was a likelihood when they signed a five-year deal in 2006 for rent-free use of the Alamodome. The Church of God is staging a convention in the stadium from July 29-Aug. 13.

The Cowboys had considered staying in San Antonio this summer and practicing outdoors. But they ultimately decided to return to Southern California, where they regularly spent summers for more than two decades before Jerry Jones bought the franchise.

“We explored all of the options for the upcoming season and determined that Oxnard was a very good solution,” said Stephen Jones, Jerry’s son, emphasizing that San Antonio remains the team’s long-term summer home.

The team held camp in Thousand Oaks from 1963-88.

--Sam Farmer