Sports field renovation plans move forward for Corona del Mar High

Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustees took another step forward with plans to renovate aging athletic facilities at Corona del Mar High School.

It was standing room only in the Costa Mesa boardroom Tuesday night as trustees directed staff to put together a plan for replacing the sports fields with all-weather turf and installing additional seating on the home side of the football practice field.

Trustees will vote on the scope of the project, including how many seats will be added, during their meeting Dec. 9.

“The facilities on each of our campuses need to reflect the demographics of our Newport and Costa Mesa communities,” said Trustee Katrina Foley. “There are some things we can do to be a better neighbor, but we can’t stop improving our facilities.”

Last December, the school board allocated $7.4 million each to Costa Mesa and Corona del Mar high schools to renovate and upgrade their athletic fields. Trustees approved a plan that would allow installation of 600 seats on the home side of the field at CdM, bringing the total number of seats to 1,000.

The move angered some homeowners from the Eastbluff, Bluffs and Plaza communities, which border the high school. Residents contend that their small neighborhoods are already plagued by heavy traffic, noise and parking problems generated by the school’s students and visitors.

Resident Jim Carrigan said he anticipates an increase in traffic and parking problems with the renovations. “It’s an imposition and it will destroy the neighborhood,” he said.

Tensions between the district and the community were heightened when officials announced that track and field coach Bill Sumner wanted to expand the plan to include a restroom, press box, snack bar, team room, field lights and an additional 500 seats, bringing the total to 1,500.

The board indicated it would entertain proposals to add to the project, but it did not vote on Sumner’s recommendation. Officials have said the district will not be able to help fund additional seating past the 600 previously approved.

Sumner and his supporters have said they plan to raise money for the additional changes.

The district is funding the projects with one-time money it received after the Costa Mesa and Orange County redevelopment agencies were dismantled as part of the state’s efforts to distribute such agencies’ assets to local government bodies.

The agencies’ dissolution provided the district with $25 million for capital improvements.

After months of push-back from the Corona del Mar community, the board in March tabled the plans until further notice. Tuesday’s meeting was the first time since June that trustees had discussed the project at CdM High.

“I know our district is about excellence,” resident Mitch Vance said. “Our athletic facilities should reflect the excellence in our community, and they don’t. They’re tired, worn and overused.”

Coaches, parents and students shared stories about an increase in ankle and other injuries caused by students playing on worn fields.

Meanwhile, upgrades to the athletic fields at Costa Mesa and Newport Harbor high schools are moving forward.

In March, the board allocated $1.1 million for additional restrooms, a concession area, a storage building and field lighting for Costa Mesa High.

The district also is working on renovating the stadium at Newport Harbor to include an all-weather track and field, lights, team rooms, restrooms, concession space and a press box. The $8.5-million Davidson Field renovation will be funded through Measure F, a $282-million bond measure passed by district voters in 2005.

The district expects construction at both schools to be completed by summer 2016.