MOORPARK : Developer Pledges Money for Stadium

The developer of Moorpark’s largest subdivision pledged Tuesday to contribute $580,000 for a football stadium at Moorpark High School.

Urban West Communities of Santa Monica presented the Moorpark Unified School District board with a $150,000 check and promised to donate another $430,000 by the end of the school year.

The money will be used to develop a regulation-size football field surrounded by a running track, two new soccer fields, landscaping and a parking lot, said Urban West spokesman Tom Zanic. Grading has already begun.

Moorpark High School Principal Cary Dritz estimated that the school district will need another $700,000 to add lights and bleachers for 6,000 spectators.

Urban West built Mountain Meadows subdivision in Moorpark in 1977. Mountain Meadows now has about 1,600 homes and another 1,000 are expected to be approved by the City Council.

Duffy said he hopes that Urban West’s contribution will spur community groups to raise the remaining $700,000 to complete the stadium.

The high school football team now plays in the stadium at the old high school at 280 Casey Road. That stadium seats about 1,500 and the games attract about 4,000 people, most of whom have to stand, Dritz said.

The new fields, track, and parking lot are expected to be finished in time for the next school year, Zanic said.