Third ball field at E. Washington park

A third artificial turf playing field has been added to the recently approved East Washington Park project, which originally included just two fields in its first phase of construction at the city-owned 25-acre parcel near the Petaluma Airport.

In May, the city council approved a $3.8 million contract to begin the first phase of construction of the park, which included two synthetic, all-weather turf fields that will be lit and striped for use by local lacrosse and soccer teams. Park supporters had hoped to include a third synthetic field, restrooms and sewer services during the first phase of construction, but the funds were not immediately available.

The opportunity to add a third field to the project’s first phase arose after construction bids came in lower than city engineers’ estimates, leaving more than $900,000 in the project budget. After awarding a construction contract to Ghilotti Brother Inc. for $3.8 million, city staff explored whether the leftover funds could be used for an additional field or a restroom.

Larry Zimmer, the city’s capital projects manager, said a third field, priced similarly to the first two fields at about $1.3 million, was the best use of the remaining funds.

With an additional $401,500 needed to complete the third field, city staff proposed utilizing funds from a 2007 Statewide Community Infrastructure Program, which had a balance of $804,000. Other funding sources being utilized to cover the $6.15 million first phase of construction include an open space grant, a parks grant and developer impact fees.

While the council unanimously approved the additional funding for the construction of a third field, some were concerned that the park still lacks a bathroom. Councilmember Kathy Miller suggested allocating newly acquired funds from Basin Street’s Riverfront project to a restroom project. That funding was awarded to the East Washington Park project as a result of Basin Street’s agreement to pay a $125,000 fee instead of constructing an artificial turf field in its Riverfront development.

After approving the conceptual master plan for the East Washington Park project in June, construction began in early July on the first two athletic fields, which have been in the works for more than a decade. The fields are expected to be completed by the winter.

“It’s a tremendous amenity for the community,” Miller said. “I’m so happy that we’re able to get that third field out there and have it ready to go at the same time as the other two fields.”

(Contact Allison Jarrell at allison.jarrell@argus courier.com)