County awards contract for $12 million sports complex

DOWNEY – Conceptual plans for a multi-use sports complex on county-owned property in south Downey is no longer a conception.

On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors awarded a $9.66 million contract to begin construction of the fields, which will be located on the abandoned south campus of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

“City of Downey staff are working with County of Los Angeles staff on the design and layout of multi-use fields on the five acres of land offered by the County of Los Angeles,” said Aldo Schindler, director of community development for the city of Downey.

Plans call for three synthetic turf or grass soccer fields of various sizes to support youth through high school level of competition, with the largest field big enough to also accommodate football and lacrosse.

Lighting will allow nighttime use of the fields, and fencing will be installed along the project’s boundaries. A 3,000 sq. ft. building will house restrooms, concessions, administrative offices, storage and meeting space.

The facility will have enough parking for 74 vehicles and drought-tolerant landscaping.

According to Schindler, temporary or permanent bleacher seating is still being contemplated.

When completed, the facility will be leased to and operated by the city of Downey.

As part of the project, two buildings currently occupied by the Downey Rose Float Association will remain untouched, Schindler said.

The project is budgeted at $12.12 million: $10 million will come from Supervisor Janice Hahn’s 4th District discretionary funding while the additional $2.12 million will come from the city of Downey.