On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council accepted a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission for
the overall conceptual plan for the 30 acre Sand Creek Sports Complex.
In a 4-0 vote, the council approved the recommendation with several changes which included a larger field, include bleachers, lacrosse lines and nix a concession stand in favor of a food truck. The council also opted against pickleball, nearly eliminating it, before moving it to Phase 2 to be included in the multi-use field.
The planned sports complex is located at Sand Creek Road and Fairivew.
Bruce Mulder, Director of Parks and Recreation highlighted the estimated project costs have increased to $31 million based on the current plan, with an original budget of approximately $15 million. However, the city council identified other monies and have increased the budget to $19.2 million.
Derek Mckee of Verde Design provided an overview of the design, cost estimating and two phases which includes an estimated construction start in 2024.
Mckee shared the main item for the Sand Creek Sports Complex is the soccer fields which included lighted three full size fields—which include other sport striping for youth league and other sports. They are also looking at multi-use courts—such as pickleball, basketball and other sports. It was also looking at a pump track, all-inclusive pump track, along with exercise areas.
“It’s not just soccer or field sports, but we are trying to fill in the whole space so families can enjoy the area,” said Mckee.
Mckee also explained initially they proposed baseball and softball practice fields in the first designs but that was something that was not designed in the community meetings that it should be for soccer or field sports.
Mckee shared that while the cost is at $31 million, they were fairly confident in that estimated for the current concept—noting a recent project came within $10 of their estime.
They then worked with city staff on phases of the project which include:
Phase A ($18.9 million)
- 3 lighted sports fields
- 1 concession/restroom building
- Reduced parking
- No scoreboard
- No bleachers
Phase A Bid Alternates
- Picnic, warm up, planting
- Multi-use court, picnic
- Maintenance area
- Parking/curbs/asphalt
- Playground
- Restroom building
- North side warm up/exercise area
- Pump track
- 2 multi-use courts
Public Comments:
Vincent Baldwin with East County Revolution Football Club stated they support the concept design of the Sand Creek Sports Complex. He stated their competitive program have 480 players who play year round who come as far as Fresno to play soccer. This year, they have 1,000 players who will play a season of 10 games. He said it was exciting of what soccer was bringing to Brentwood. He said that Phase A will bring them turf fields, large fields and a large parking lot. He also noted that soccer is played year round and they currently have no turf fields with lights.
Don Pryor, a coach with Delta Breeze Lacrosse, said this past season they have doubled in size and hosted teams from all over the Bay Area—all those cities who have facilities to support their programs. He said there were no fields with Lacrosse lines drawn in to them as opposed to the twelve current fields for soccer. He asked that they add Lacrosse lines to the fields. He also urged turf fields.
Carolina Villaseca suggested to cut cost, they look into sponsorships.
Council Discussion
PA’Tanisha Pierson wanted to follow up on public comments about increasing the size of the field from 70 to 120 yards and how the design would change.
McKee said it would simply just take up more room saying 75×120 yards is the largest field there is. The fields design are duplicated for what is at Sunset Park. They also met with the agency responsible for the creek where there is a 50ft setback so they couldn’t have the fields closer to the edge—which constrained them.
Pierson followed up and asked if Field 3 could be larger in which McKee said they were thinking Field 1 could be the “championship field” which included bleachers and a scoreboard.
Pierson also asked about Lacrosse and if the lines would be included. McKee said Lacrosse would be on Field 1 (unified lacrosse).
Councilmember Jovita Mendoza agreed with the larger field but took issue with the concession stand which she said was closed a lot and privately contracted out by someone. She also heard feedback by someone that they get bored with the same food so why not do a concrete pad for food trucks.
Mendoza said by doing food trucks it helps small business while bringing variety to each game—leaving it up to the teams what food trucks they want to bring in, perhaps a fundraiser to help the teams as well.
McKee said they have done that in the past on other facilities and could be reviewed further.
Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer asked for a brief overview of the funding so the public understood where they money was coming from.
Staff said the project is $19.2 million which the funding came from the following:
- $6.9 million from ARPA originally, then switched to general fund
- $1.6 million from sale of tech center
- $7.8 park impact fees (developer)
- $2.9 million from refinancing over the past 8-9 years.
Staff said there would be no direct cost to residents or a line item on a tax bill. The maintenance would come from the general fund as most cities do.
Meyer asked about the economic impact.
Assistant City Manager Darin Gale said anytime people come from out of area there would be an impact which would depend on number of teams traveling in and those in attendance. They would also look at the hotel room/night stay. He said there would be a benefit to local business and sales tax.
Meyer stated she supported the increased field size, lining for Lacrosse and was in favor of the food trucks for reliability and variety.
Prior to the motion, Mulder sought clarity on the pickleball courts should they expand the field, it would be a challenge to get those courts. They also needed to provide direction with an expanded field what it would do to reduce parking spaces.
“I think we are all okay without having the pickleball courts,” stated Mendoza.
Pierson asked if the pickleball courts could be moved to the multi-use fields closer to Fairview Avenue.
McKee said they could because those courts were designed to be multi-use to be basketball, volleyball or pickleball—they can also be used for soccer or warm ups.
Mendoza then motioned as directed in the staff report, plus the following items:
- Soccer field modification to 75×120 yards (+ lacrosse lining)
- Nixing concession stand to make room for food trucks
- Adding bleachers and reducing green space
- Moving pickleball courts to east side and moved to Phase 2
It was approved in a 4-0 vote.
Note:
This project dates back to the Spring of 2022 when Councilmember Jovita Mendoza made the push for the sports complex in an effort to both utilize the vacant property and save taxpayer money while filling a need for local youth activities. The idea, which had been idle for decades, was pushed during 2-year Strategic Plan to get council to agree to fast track the Sand Creek Sports Complex.
Previous Stories:
- April 26, 2023: Brentwood Commission Set to Discuss Sand Creek Sports Complex
- March 8, 2023: Brentwood Seeks Feedback on New Sand Creek Sports Complex
- Nov 19, 2022: Brentwood Takes First Steps Toward Sand Creek Soccer Complex
