Council to Consider Funding Ball Field

The City Council tonight will consider whether to contribute funds to build a baseball field for San Juan Capistrano Little League at the Sports Park.

Last November, the council approved a staff recommendation to construct a field at the park for an estimated $35,214 to be shared by Little League and city.

However, on Jan. 6, the league’s contractor revised his proposal for the project, raising the construction costs to $58,225.

Joseph Arranaga, director of public lands and facilities for the city, said the increase is caused in part by the 30-foot fence proposed for the third-base line and the backstop.

Since the more expensive bid was submitted, the city and league have worked to reduce the project’s costs. “We’ve minimized the length of the fence,” Arranaga said, estimating the project’s cost is now $43,470.

The city’s share of the new field would be $28,470, with Little League paying $15,000, which is $5,000 more than the league originally planned to contribute.

Besides the new fences, the ballpark will include a sod infield, irrigation improvements and new bases.

If the council approves the extra expenditure, Little League officials said they expect to have the fields done within four weeks.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

Information: (714) 493-1171.