Tracy Press

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written by Malcolm , September 03, 2008

2012? That's nice.

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written by Malcolm , September 03, 2008

"The city hopes youth sports leagues will actually build the fields when the time comes" So, how does that work exactly?

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written by Malcolm , September 03, 2008

"Whether the leagues can maintain the fields is also an unanswered question. The city estimates it’ll cost $500,000 a year" Anything else, City?

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written by Malcolm , September 03, 2008

"City officials hope to enter into contracts with various leagues that spell out their responsibilities, as well as those of the city. Key points the city needs to iron out are laws that require the city to pay prevailing wages for city projects and liability should someone get injured." Yeah, how can the City get around those darn laws?

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written by what? , September 03, 2008

When will the EIR be available? Has the EIR been ordered?

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 03, 2008

Glad to see that the city didn't go with that "backroom deal" at Alvarez.

And Holly is much more preferrable location for a sports park.

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written by Observer , September 03, 2008

It is finally happening, one thing at a time?

From now until 2011, when roads and sewer, water and storm drains are expected to be finished, the city expects to hit more than a dozen "milestones" to complete the fields.

Wish it were possible to grant a wish in one day!!

About the landscaping, go southwestern, less grass... less water usage and maintenance (like Arizona)? Just grass on the sports field for the players. How will they come up with $500,000 a year to maintain the field? Price is steep? Economize on landscaping to help defray the cost of maintaining playing fields?

Just a suggestion. Would appreciate "solutions". Thanks.

-amy

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written by Concerned Parents , September 03, 2008

The city hopes youth sports leagues will actually build the fields when the time comes, as they have offered to do so for more than a decade. Whether all the leagues have the money and know-how to build the fields remains to be seen, though city officials certainly hope so.

Hello? City Council of Tracy, have you taken the time to look at the fields the leagues have already built and how they are "maintained" check out the 6 fields at Monte Vista and see the future of the Sports Park!

Furthermore, how can the city enter into contracts for $500,000 annually with leagues that are shrinking in size every year (Babe Ruth from 1,200 to 700 this year) and are plagued with embezzlement?

If you build it, you should be ready to maintain it.

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written by fortheunderdog , September 03, 2008

I agree with Concerned Parents. If the leagues have the money to build their fields they should have the money for maintenance.

Holly is a great spot for it but it's too bad the ground is so contaminated that it'll take some prepping before grass can grow on it. Maybe that's why they're saying 2012, to give the ground some time to recharge itself.

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written by Dave Hardesty , September 03, 2008

CP

So then we should do nothing at all because there are people who are corrupt?

Did you ever consider the reasons why Babe Ruth is shirking is size might have something to do with the fact the kids don't have any place to play and that soccer is replacing baseball as the preferred youth sport of today?

FTUD

Wonder how they have been growing alfalfa there for the past several decades if the ground is so polluted? For that matter, I wonder how Delta Blue Grass manages to grow turf for sale on their own property?

All

4 years is about what it takes to place a facility of this scope on line from the conceptual point we crossed back in July. It's been that way for all the large city projects and it's because of the legal bureaucracy involved. If this were a commercial private enterprise it would be much quicker.

"they should have the money for maintenance." How do they maintain the facilities we already have?


Dave Hardesty

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written by Observer , September 03, 2008

fortheunderdog,
Glad you liked Holly, too.

It is not so badly contaminated, just soil needing to be neutralized to allow grass to grow well....

The city has hired a consultant to test the soil, which is high in boron and alkaline, the consultant found, a problem for growing grass that can be fixed by watering deeply and adding organic materials, a city report states.

It needs to be primed to make grass grow well.


http://www.borax.com/agriculture/

Boron is one of seven essential micronutrients - vital to fertilization, fruit and seed production. But it’s a micronutrient with macro effects. Boron deficiency is the most widespread of all crop deficiencies, affecting almost all major crops grown around the world.
Borax is the world’s leading supplier of borates into the agricultural industry. We’ve been at the forefront of crop research since 1940, and offer the best product quality, technical expertise, supply reliability and customer service the world has to offer.

Sea water is full of alkaline... no harm to anyone.
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/courses/agry365/alkaline.pdf

The length of time for the completion is based on this?

From now until 2011, when roads and sewer, water and storm drains are expected to be finished, the city expects to hit more than a dozen "milestones" to complete the fields.

Glad to see it starting up!
-amy

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 03, 2008

Also looking forward to the Wetlands project.

Holly Sports Park!

Then the Holly Wetlands Project!

Right now the Leauges are having to use the school's fields?

Great idea for the city to move forward with Holly!

Even in spite of Eric Firpo's nay-saying, it is good to see these plans approved at last night's city council!

Good for Tracy's future!

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written by Observer , September 03, 2008

TRN or Dave Hardesty, or someone who knows!

Just a question... are they considering closing of some sports park in Tracy once this Holly Site Sports Park opens? To offset the cost for the leagues to maintain the field at Holly site?

Thanks.
-amy

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written by Concerned Parents , September 03, 2008

Dave Hardesty- Youth baseball is not shrinking the players are just leaving league ball. Check out travel-baseball that is where the baseball players are going to avoid the corrupt board members in league ball. They are spending thousands of dollars and playing year round in organizations like, Super Series, USSSA, BPA etc. and playing in places with nice fields like Big League Dreams in Manteca, Twin Creeks in Sunnyvale and Rainbow Fields in Modesto. Tournaments can bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars to a community in a single weekend for hotels, food, shopping, gas etc.

So of course the City should build fields but they should plan on maintaining them as well. Again take a drive to Monte Vista and check out the "maintenance" that is provided by Babe Ruth.

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 03, 2008

It must be complicated having the schools gettiong in the middle of the fields, too (Monte Vista). That was Garamendi's idea. If the city hadn't voted for Holly, Garamendi would have had our children playing at more of these school parks until the year 2345? That doesn't seem like the right way to host a tournament. The City will generate revenue off this in a few years. If we take the schools that Garamendi wanted to complicate, out of the picture, things will run smoother and generate city revenue. The city can protect their investment. The schools have never been known for generating revenue. They have their hands out, in November, for more money. What was Celeste thinking???

Move this to Holly! Good plan!

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 03, 2008

http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/uploads/fckeditor/File/city_council/agendas/2008/09/02/04.pdf

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written by Concerned Parents , September 03, 2008

TRN-The school district doesn't maintain the fields at Monte Vista-Tracy Babe Does (but actually doesn't) and that is what the City is suggesting for Holly. If they aren't able to maintain fields they use now, how can the city expect them to suddenly start? Not going to happen!

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 03, 2008

Concerned Parents,

Hope you're not taking my comments personal? Yes, I supported Holly (and still do)! But I thought you liked the idea of Holly too? And, this is a new issue you are raising. Do you work at the school? Did you sign the agreement with Babe Ruth? The fields are used quite often, there? Is that across from the Pool (on Lowell), right? Yes, that validates the need for Holly.

Often times, I see families crossing Lowell to use that ball field. Lowell is certainly not a safe street for tournaments. There is too much traffic there. Cars pulling in and out. I don't like using that area for a sports park. But that is what Garamendi was planning to do. Use schools for sports fields. You read the article, too? Is that why you used the emoticon with the tounge sticking out at me?

Let me know. I don't have much regard for Garamendi, but I will tone it down, for you, since you are usually pretty straightforward blogger. Like to know more. If the leagues can do it then let's see. So, what are the terms of that contract between the leagues and the Monte Vista school?

Thanks!

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written by Concerned Parents , September 04, 2008

TRN-No not taking it personal at all, sorry if it came off that way. I do support Holly. You are correct Monte Vista is a horrible location for tournaments. My comments were about the City expecting the leagues to build and maintain fields, BR is responsible for maintenance now. That was what the tongue was about.

We just had kids play in the Tracy Babe Ruth Organization during the 90s when there was $10.000 missing from the snack-bar and up until 3 years ago when they were overcharging players. The fields are in deplorable condition and the league charges parents plenty of money but does not use it for maintenance. A non-profit "saving" the money?

IMHO The city would be wise to budget for the maintenance of the Holly fields or they will end up looking like the Monte Vista fields before long.

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written by mactrew5 , September 04, 2008

Yep. All the fields for both Babe Ruth and Little League are maintained by parents, all volunteers. It is tough because many of the parents that are there helping are also the ones coaching or are on the board etc. They do the best they can. We need this new complex. The city cannot just do the prep work and then throw their hands up and say "we did our part, here it is". I know the leagues have offered to do whatever they can to help get this project built, but the city has to be a part in the building and maintenance.

As I have stated before there are many ways everyone can help. Big businesses can donate supplies and/or labor. Example in Turlocks sports park (yes they have a nice one) the overhangs over the bleachers were donated by Teichert. We can sell advertising at the parks each year. A company can donate the scoreboard and have that field named after them or whatever. We can get creative and get done what needs to be done.

So everyone get your thinking caps on and come up with some ideas!

And yes, baseball and softball are huge! People are opting for travel ball over the leagues for many reasons...one being the lack of good facicities. Let's get it done Tracy!!!

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written by mactrew5 , September 04, 2008

I meant "facilities" Sorry

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written by what? , September 04, 2008

If the city plans on building Holly, then the city should maintain Holly 100%. It will be another public park that needs a budget and a maintenance crew. Fund this park just like all of the other parks in the city limits. Why would Ives expect the general public to do the development and daily maintenance?
If city hall and Ives are having problems funding Holly I would hate to see how a water park at Ellis would be run. Volunteer lifeguards? Donate chlorine?

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written by mactrew5 , September 04, 2008

Yep. There is now way they can expect volunteer parents from the leagues to take care of a city sports park. Hey maybe we can take care of the wetlands too. We are mostly commuters, let's take more time away from our families to do the work and maintenance for free. That is what they are thinking, right?

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 05, 2008

Concerned Parents,

I drove past Monte Vista school today. Sorry didn't have time to do that earlier. Here were my initial thoughts. I noticed what I would consider a deplorable school grounds. I think it could easily be the next Tracy High (except that it is a middle school).

Anyway, the schoool doesnt' properly utilize the sprinkeler systems. I think most of the grass there is dry and dead. That is not just a description of the field. The area around the school buildings are in a comparable state. Brown grass. Patchy spots with lots of weeds. And areas where it was over watered.

The Monte Vista field has the same problems. And worse, the structures need someone to spend money to replace (or repair them). Hopefully replace. Is this on TUSD's agenda? I do know that they are putting their hand out to the taxpayers this November?

Anyway, in contrast, I went over to West High. They are having their water sprinkelers on. The grass looks green. There were fewer noticable weeds. And I actually felt like I wasn't in a "blight" area of town.

Now, if we could just get those cars to volunteer to slow down on Lowell? There was a game going on there tonight, and cars were still flying through there.

I'm sure that slowing down (and saving some fuel - by the way) might be nice way to help the community! Anyway, I like the idea.

And I have a suggestion.

Parents would you please tell your children to slow down. Looks like the schools (at least West High - tonight) still have children going to the school grounds - even in the evenings.

How do they say it? Game on!

Thanks!!!

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written by Dave Hardesty , September 05, 2008

Amy

You asked if I knew if any of the other "fields" would be shut down when Holly was opened.

In so far as there will still be a shortage of fields to play on, and probably even after the facility expands to 150 acres someday, I doubt seriously they will close any, perhaps one or two at the most.

I do know there are plans for the Adult flelds next to Taco Bell on Tracy Blvd but that is just two fields and I don't know exactly what the plans are for that site.

The Youth Sports park at Holly will not fill the need requirements of the various leagues forever. But it is a very big improvement over what we have today.

I say this because I have live here for 30 years and have seen the population growth during that period of time. Yes, we are in an economic slump right now, but we have been in the past and over the long haul Tracy has grown.

Unless we experience something like the end of time I don't see anything that will prevent it from growing larger in the future.

Don't forget, once Oakland was called Oakland because of the massive oak forrest that extended from where Emeryville is today, down the east side of the bay area, all the way to Mission Peak in Fremont. Time has a way of changing things in ways that people living today simply cannot comprehend.

I hope this answers your question on what I know of the subject.

Dave Hardesty

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

Dave Hardesty, thanks for taking the time to respond to my question!!! Thought it overlooked or ignored! I appreciate the information!
-amy

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 05, 2008

Driving here and there - I see they are having children's soccer classes and other activities at many schools. Hope the Holly Sports Park will help alleviate this. Also they will have concession stands at Holly. Will the city generate revenue from that or is it a service provided from outside vendor? I don't think they can do that at the schools. It would be a plus for parents (and players) who are out in the hot day and need a water bottle to beat the heat waves.

Thanks!

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

I have seen some places using "misting" spray from the awnings at some cafes in further south California... would be nice to see walk ways around the Wetlands using "mister" to cool walkers off? Misting spray at the Parks?

Misting spray at the bench for players?

-amy

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 05, 2008

And for the parents?



Great idea!

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written by Observer , September 05, 2008

Yeah, bleachers, too!!

Young kids and seniors have difficulty adapting to the heat, the mister will help alot of those people, too!

Also, at doggie walk paths around the parks, wetlands and so on...? Runners would love it! I know I would love getting misted while riding my bike on the bike trail at Holly if I were in Tracy on a hot day!

Thanks TRN!

-amy

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 06, 2008

Thanks Observer! You just reminded me of the idea that I wanted to post for Leroy Ornellas...

It's been a long week, and I almost forgot about it - until you mentioned the bike path.

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written by Tracy RealNews , September 06, 2008

Leroy Ornellas,

There is a bike trail from the east of Tracy, CA to Manteca, CA. Would you and the county have that extended to The Holly Sports Park? Maybe even to Mountain House, CA - especially if/when they get annexed. But, I won't get started on that, right now. Ok?

Anyway, let's just get started on this project asap. People could use a bike trail. The bike trails along the irrigation canals have been closed since 9/11.

Let us know Ornellas!

Thanks!