COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

In 1991, Jim Scott approached the Newport Mesa Unified School District and related the need for Costa Mesa’s own football/soccer/track stadium at Estancia High School and an aquatic center at Costa Mesa High School.

Over time, the district agreed and, with a significant donation from CJ Segerstrom and Sons, the district had architectural drawings completed. Initial costs were estimated at $7.2 million.

The Costa Mesa Community Athletic Foundation (street name: Costa Mesa United) was founded as a not-for-profit foundation and began fundraising efforts in the late 1990s. Some $4.6 million was pledged pending the groundbreaking.

Soon, however, escalated costs out-paced the group’s ability to raise funds. Along came the Measure F bond proposed by the district and which passed in November 2005. CMU requested that the stadium and pool be included in the measure, to which the district agreed.

The stadium opened last April and the aquatic center will break ground the day after school adjourns this June. So, our initial goals have been accomplished.

The fact is that the stadium is already having a positive affect on high school sports, as well as Pop Warner.

Many are to credit for today’s success.

In 2006, CMU formed the Costa Mesa Youth Sports Council to include the city, school district, soccer, football, and baseball leaders to work together to meet the needs of all sports groups in the city.

In 2007, while discussing the lack of fields and overuse impacts, City Manager Allan Roeder suggested a master plan approach during one of the Youth Sports Council meetings.

The Costa Mesa City Council then approved $350,000 to have a consultant review and re-design the athletic fields at TeWinkle/California and CMHS/Davis locations. Meanwhile the Youth Sports Council and CMU continued to push for and help fund facility improvements, and more lighted fields.

If you do an overview of our city facilities today you will find TeWinkle Park, Luke Davis Field, the Farm, and two newly built soccer fields at Fairview Developmental Center.

Additionally, through a joint use agreement with the school district and the city of Costa Mesa, school grounds are also being used to offset the lack of needed facilities.

Together, today they meet the needs of 10,000 youth sports participants.

In November, the city initiated a task force composed of all of the above mentioned groups and local homeowners’ associations to help design the master plans. The task force has been meeting over the past several months for agreement on a long-term master plan. Draft plans were presented to the City Council recently, and community public meetings are at TeWinkle school Jan. 21 and Costa Mesa High School Jan. 22. Once the design is finalized, costs will be estimated and the parties involved will determine “how to fund.”

Today, Costa Mesa United’s mission is to continue to raise money and utilize the $600,000 already raised to develop and improve Costa Mesa youth sports facilities. Check out our grant program online to request funding for facility improvements for your athletic program at www.costamesaunited.com.

Fundraising continues Monday with the fourth annual Mesa Verde Classic golf tournament. Mesa Verde Country Club and its members have generously donated their facilities in support of our cause, which has resulted in more than $200,000 being raised to date.

We also have the brick program at the Jim Scott Stadium. We thank all of you for your support.

GORDON BOWLEY is a 40-year resident of Costa Mesa and president of Costa Mesa Community Athletic Foundation.