A formal groundbreaking is scheduled Thursday for a state-of-the art multi-sport complex at Luther Burbank High School that city and school officials say will bring modern athletic fields to south Sacramento and be an economic catalyst for struggling Florin Road.
The $24.5 million Luther Burbank Regional Sports Complex at 3500 Florin Road is a partnership between the city of Sacramento and Sacramento City Unified School District.
Councilmember Bonnie Pannell, who represents the area and is a member of the Florin Road Partnership, said she is excited about the project, noting the Luther Burbank improvements are likely to be a regional draw that will benefit school teams and others.
"Burbank has not been upgraded since its construction," Pannell said Tuesday. "The sports complex will be open not only for the school but also the community."
The improvements will vastly change the old sports fields at Burbank, said Pannell. First to be completed are the improvements to Burbank's football field and track.
"Hopefully, the first game on the new football field will be played in 2010," said Pannell.
When complete, the complex will include a football stadium with synthetic turf bordered by an all-weather track. Synthetic turf also would be installed on three soccer fields, two softball diamonds and two baseball fields.
All of the fields and six tennis courts would have lighting. Spectator seating, restrooms and a picnic area with shade structures are included in the project.
The complex is to be built in three phases. Pannell said the school district has about $7 million for the first phase of the project, which includes the track and football field.
Construction of the football stadium and track is planned for next spring, concluding in the fall. The remainder of the complex is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011, pending sufficient funding being secured by the city and school district.
Pannell said Florin Road needs a shot in the arm, having suffered economic setbacks. The Florin Road Partnership is part of a cooperative effort to revive more than 40 acres along Florin Road west of Highway 99, between Luther Drive and Franklin Boulevard. The area includes three closed dealership sites, all on the 3800 block.
"You know about all the car dealerships that have closed on Florin Road," said Pannell. "Hopefully, this will spur economic development there."
Two community meetings have been held to gain comment on the new complex. Pannell said that some residents of a neighboring mobile home park want a 12-foot-high fence installed between their homes and the high school.
"They are concerned about the lighting and noise," said Pannell. "But I think a 12-foot fence is just going to overshadow the mobile home park. They are supportive of the project but concerned about their privacy -- as they should be."
The greater community will benefit from the improvements, said Pannell.
"It's about time this school gets upgraded," she said. "It's very deserving."
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
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