Huge new soccer, football complex will open Jan. 31

Enthusiasm is building among local youth soccer and football teams for the grand opening of Fontana’s largest sports complex.

The Ralph M. Lewis Sports Complex, located near the 210 Freeway in northern Fontana, will be officially unveiled on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m.

The festivities, which will last until 11:30 a.m., are free and open to the public.

Members of the L.A. Avengers Arena Football League team and the L.A. Galaxy Major League Soccer team will assist with the grand opening event, hosting a skills and drill obstacle course for Fontana fans.

For more information about this event, call the Fontana Sports Hotline at 428-6644 or visit the city’s website at www.fontana.org.

THE NEW state-of-the-art facility will include a satellite lighting system for its seven multi-purpose fields, two snack bars, restroom facilities, and 237 parking spaces.

The 20-acre complex is located at 6122 Citrus Avenue, across from the Jessie Turner Community Center.

A unique feature of the complex is that the fields are designated with concrete soccer balls that measure six feet in diameter.

Additional concrete footballs and soccer balls are placed around the restroom/snack bars.

The facility will assist in meeting the growing needs of Fontana’s six soccer and three football programs, which annually have more than 6,000 participants.

With a rapidly expanding population of 147,000, Fontana has a need for more multi-use parks, said Pat Lehman, a recreation coordinator for the city.

The new park is being dedicated to a renowned community leader, Ralph M. Lewis and the Lewis Group of Companies, is recognition of the significant impact Lewis has had on Fontana.

RALPH LEWIS (1919-2001) left a legacy of immense accomplishment, not only as one of America’s most successful residential developers but also as a philanthropist whose generosity has touched untold numbers of people throughout California and Nevada.

Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from UCLA in 1941 and subsequently attended USC’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

He held the unique distinction of having passed the California State Bar examination without attending law school.

He led a dual career as an attorney and certified public accountant for the homebuilding industry until 1955, when he and his wife Goldy founded Lewis Homes.

The company’s first venture, a 50-home development in Claremont, was step one on the path to the ultimate development of more than 60,000 single-family and multi-family homes.

Ralph Lewis retired in the early 1990s, and his professional achievements will forever mark him as a giant of the industry.

He was inducted in the National Association of Home Builders Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1999, the Lewis family received the prestigious Builder of the Century award from the Building Industry Association of Southern California for providing 45 years of leadership, service, and dedication to the real estate industry.

THE LEWIS GROUP has played a significant role in helping shape Fontana.

In addition to Goldy Lewis’ parents residing in Fontana for more than 15 years, the Lewis Group has developed numerous quality projects here.

Planned communities developed by Lewis in Fontana include Sierra Lakes, Summit Heights, and the future Citrus Heights.

Sierra Lakes is also home to the Lewis-developed 18-hole Sierra Lakes Golf Course.

Fontana residents also enjoy several Lewis-developed shopping centers, including Heritage Village Center, Morningside Marketplace, Heritage Triangle, and Summit Heights Gateway.

THE PROFESSIONAL athletes from the L.A. Galaxy and the L.A. Avengers will provide a big highlight for fans at the grand opening of the new sports complex.

The Galaxy began playing in the MLS in 1996 and captured the Western Conference Crown in that first year.

In 2001, the team advanced to the MLS Cup. Also that year, the Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to reach the 100-victory mark.

Last year, the Galaxy celebrated its new stadium with the opening of the Home Depot Center, one of only two venues in MLS to be created specifically for the sport of soccer. The Galaxy will open the 2004 season in April.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Avengers will be starting their fifth season of action in the Arena Football League in February. They play their home games at Staples Center.

The Avengers are owned by Casey Wasserman, who in 1999 became the youngest person (24 years old) to ever own a professional sports team.

The Avengers posted an 11-5 record last year.