School reconstructs, re-turfs Meadows, baseball fields

By Naomi Tsuang

Online News Editor

One of two projects at Mira Costa began yesterday, including the construction of a new artificial turf field off Meadows Avenue in two separate phases.

Currently, the field consists of grass and is worn from years of use. MBUSD will fund the first phase of this plan, while MBX, an organization within MBUSD that provides financial support for physical education and athletic programs at Costa, will fund the second phase.

“We at MBX are quite thrilled that this project is finally ready to build,” MBX Foundation President Gary Wayland said. “We try to find athletic infrastructure projects that benefit the most students as possible, and we think that the new turf field is a perfect fit for MBX.”

The initial phase of the project consists of constructing fire and security roads, relocating utilities, building retaining walls to hold back earth and water, and improving the Meadows Avenue side of campus before construction of the turf field can begin, Wayland said.

Link: Learn more about the reconstruction of Meadows field

“We think [the reconstructed field will be] a wonderful addition to Costa, an addition that will provide many benefits to the entire Manhattan Beach community,” Wayland said.

MBX is funding the second phase, which consists of building a $2-million turf field. MBX’s plan is to replace all current fields and parking in the Meadows section of campus with the new turf field. Wayland said that the project is estimated to be completed by the beginning of next school year.

“While we never like to see parking spots go away, we believe that eliminating cars from that end of the Costa campus promotes safety,” Wayland said. “The field will benefit hundreds of students at Costa as well as youth and community groups that will be able to use this state-of-the-art turf surface.”

Costa football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, baseball, softball and marching band will be able to use the field once it is completed, along with youth groups such as AYSO and the youth flag football league.

Link: View MBUSD’s letter to parents and families regarding the renovation

While the field is under construction, most Costa teams will practice at Waller Stadium during times that will not interfere with already-scheduled activities.

“[The new field] will give Costa athletics and band much more flexibility in terms of where teams will practice and play, [and] the field surface will also be much safer than the current grass field,” Wayland said.

The second project consists of replacing the current turf on Costa’s varsity baseball field, located across from the Meadows field. Costa built the current field in 2009, Mira Costa Baseball Booster Club President Patti Ackerman said. Since its first construction, the field has been worn out after years of use by different teams and organizations within the community.

The Costa Baseball Boosters, an MBX stakeholder group, is funding the approximately $88,000 re-turfing project with multiple fundraising efforts that will take place throughout the year, such as using funds from selling Christmas trees in December. The project is scheduled to begin in December and is estimated to be completed by Jan. 9, 2017.

“After doing research and seeing some imperfections and potential safety issues with the turf, we realized the current iteration of the turf has reached its shelf life,” Ackerman said.

The MBUSD board approved the agreement between the district, MBX and the Baseball Boosters at the Nov. 2 board meeting. While the returfing takes place, the baseball team will be able to use much of its facility, but it will not be able to use the infield for about 30 days, Wayland said.

“As in any competitive endeavor, we are looking to have a first-class facility, and our players have worked hard to raise money for this project to be implemented,” Ackerman said. “It will also provide some pride in ownership for the players that have fundraised for this project throughout the last few years.”