Surf City sports complex issue will not go before voters

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- City officials will not to lease out portions of a

sports complex planned for Central Park in order to avoid a Measure C

vote on the matter next year.

In an uneven decision last week, the City Council chose not to prepare

a March 2002 ballot measure for voters to decide whether to lease a

five-acre section of the new complex to outside concessionaires.

Instead the city will run batting cages and roller hockey concessions

at the facility, which is part of a 45-acre, L-shaped project on

undeveloped land along Talbert Avenue between Gothard and Goldenwest

streets.

“My interest is to build the sports complex,” said Councilman Ralph

Bauer, who opted not to lease out the land. “We’ve been promising the

people this sports complex for four or five years now, and I didn’t want

to hold it up any longer.”

Plus, he added, the city is perfectly capable of running the

concessions.

In addition to batting cages and roller hockey, other uses such as

rock climbing, a skate park, a pro shop and food and drink facilities

were possibilities for the site, city officials said.

“A number of parties have expressed interest in leasing the site

including Wayne Gretzky’s Roller Hockey Center, Sport Chalet and other

extreme sports-related organizations,” said Ron Hagan, director of

community services.

The council voted 5-2 against the ballot measure proposal at the Feb.

21 meeting, with Councilwomen Debbie Cook and Connie Boardman dissenting.

Cook and Boardman believed that changes in the project’s cost over the

last few years should eventually put the plan back before voters.

Boardman said the project’s swelling cost is the chief reason for a

renewed voter approval. Revenue from concessions may not cover costs as

planned.

Residents first voted on Central Park addition in 1996, approving

plans for a $1.5-million complex with lighted soccer and softball fields

and concessions for roller hockey and snack food. Restrooms, parking and

other concessions were also planned for the site, which was formerly used

as a landfill and mushroom farm.

Since then, the project has grown in size and cost, with a budget of

up to $18 million. It includes eight lighted softball fields that can be

used for soccer tournaments, two playgrounds, a pair of concession

stands, a park maintenance building and an 858-space parking lot. The

batting cages and roller hockey site forms the inner elbow of the

L-shaped project.

A Feb. 8 opinion issued by City Atty. Gail Hutton stated the cost

increase did not require additional voter approval.

Hagan also stressed that the complex is expected to cost $14 million

and funded with tax-exempt bonds that will be repaid through future

concession revenue.