Karen Gleason
Work is underway on the first phase of the Del Rio Community Sports Park Project, also known as the “Field of Our Dreams.”
On workdays between Christmas and the New Year, workers driving bulldozers and wielding chainsaws began clearing brush at the site of the proposed sports complex, located west of Kings Way on the city’s north side.
In October, the Del Rio City Council passed a resolution awarding a contract to Central Builders Inc. of San Antonio for the construction of new park.
“The project is moving forward. The mayor and city council have been committed to making this project happen. My staff and I have been working hard to move this forward through all the challenges that have presented itself along the way,” City Manager Matt Wojnowski said in a prepared statement about the project.
Wojnowski, City Planner Janice Pokrant and Raul Diaz, project superintendent and Central Builders Inc., spoke to The 830 Times during a recent visit to the site.
“Right now, we’re taking out all these trees right here along the boundary of the baseball field. We’ve got to clear this whole area out,” Diaz said as he surveyed his crew in the field.
Once the small trees and brush are cleared, the ground underneath will be graded and leveled, Diaz said.
Wojnowski said the process will likely take several months.
“My vision is to fulfill what the city council’s wishes were for this area, to put into action what they’ve been desiring for many years,” Wojnowski said.
Pokrant said she is glad to see the project underway.
“This has been a vision for years, even dating back to when Mayor Chavira was here, to see some kind of fields for our kids, so it’s exciting to see it happen. I know there were some people who wondered if it was really going to happen, so it’s great to finally get started on it,” Pokrant added.
“We’ve heard for a long time from the citizens that there is a need for more practice fields and more playing fields for the various sports, and this project will help fulfill part of the need,” Wojnowski added.
The city manager said the first phase of the project will include the construction of one Little League baseball field, one Little League softball field, one Babe Ruth field, one multi-purpose soccer/football field, walking trails and a concession stand/restroom.
The city manager said the construction contract is for a total amount of $1,655,000.
“The completion date on the construction schedule is the end of June. We are currently working on other grant applications to provide for Phase Two of the project to include the lighting, bleachers and dugouts for the fields,” Wojnowski said.
Wojnowski and Pokrant also emphasized local businesses, organizations and individuals raised and donated $236,800 to help pay for the sports complex.
Pokrant said The Khoury Group contributed $100,000, and the Texas Community Bank, the Rotary Club of Del Rio, Val Verde Regional Medical Center and Amistad Bank each gave $30,000.
Border Federal Credit Union gave a $5,000 donation, Little Acres Nursery donated $4,800 worth of in-kind services, and Plaza Del Sol Mall pledged a $1,500 annual contribution for three years, totaling $4,500.
Del Rioan Gerald L. Prather gave $1,000, the Ramada Inn of Del Rio and the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce donated $500 each, and Studio 6 and Cripple Creek gave $250 apiece, Pokrant said.
“I would like to thank the community financial supporters. We know this is a time of financial uncertainty and are very grateful the community donors are still able to support the project. A special thank you is also extended to Sylvia Owens and Blanca Larson without whom the project would not be where it is today,” Pokrant said.
“The City of Del Rio is so grateful for the community partnerships and support to make this truly a community park project,” Wojnowski said.
