At its Tuesday meeting, the Brentwood City Council agreed to honor Cecy Martinez by naming the Championships Field at the Sand Creek Sports Complex after her.
According to the agenda item, Martinez graduated from Liberty High School and attended Cal State East Bay. She was very active in the community of Brentwood and coached numerous students throughout her life. She was also a beloved school teacher who taught in Knightsen and Brentwood. In February 2023, she lost her fight with metastatic breast cancer and leaves behind many who love her and wish to memorialize her life (see application).
Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer called the honoring of Martinez a “beautiful idea”.
Councilmember Jovita Mendoza spoke about the naming of the field after Cecy Martinez and thanked everyone for their efforts.
“This feels really good,” stated Mendoza. “If you don’t know, Cecy has a young toddler daughter when she passed away and her fiancé Jesus. I am sure they are very happy the city can do this for them… this one means a lot… I am happy she is getting the number one field.”
Mayor Joel Bryant said he spoke to many people who Martinez impacted.
“Brentwood is so fortunate to have so many amazing people that we get to call friends and neighbors. She truly was an outstanding influence in our community, especially with our young people. I am really happy we will be naming the first field after her,” said Bryant.
Parks Maintenance Manager Aaron Wande said shared upon approval, staff will work with the applicant on the final design and dedication ceremony when the time nears.
The council officially took three actions within the agenda item:
- officially naming the sports complex the “Sand Creek Sports Complex”
- dedicating and naming the championship field (Field #1) in the memory of Cecy Martinez (see submission)
- approving the design for the team photo area.
The item came before the city council after the May 23 Park and Recreation Commission meeting where they opted to keep the complex as the “Sand Creek Sports Complex”.
The sports team photo area was approved by the ad-hoc committee and is now bringing it to the council for consideration. It is estimated that the team photo improved area will cost approximately $75,000, and has already been included in the consultant’s construction estimate for the Project. The Project is funded by the General Fund, Parks and Trails Development Impact Fees and bond savings.
Background on Sports Complex
The sports complex is located on 34-acres at of Sand Creek Road and Fairview Avenue. With an estimated cost of $31 million for phase 1 which includes 3 soccer fields which will include lines to make lacrosse fields.
This project dates back to the Spring of 2022 when 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:
- June 15, 2023 – Brentwood Approves Sand Creek Sports Complex Conceptual Plan
- 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
