City, homeowners and YMCA approach deal for new park facilities
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

A proposal for a Triunfo YMCA facility and city sports park in Westlake Village received support from residents and local youth sports groups at a City Council study session last week.

The 30-acre project is located on the north side of Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Via Colinas and La Baya Drive.

At its meeting last night the council was to discuss and possibly vote on a land swap deal involving the city, the YMCA and the Canyon Oaks Homeowner Association that would make the site available.

The park will include 8 acres of baseball and soccer fields; skateboard, hockey and sand volleyball facilities; a walking/fitness course around the perimeter; and a snack shack, picnic area and restrooms. Lighting that operates until 9 p.m. may also be included.

The YMCA will include indoor pools, basketball courts and a workout gym. A 3.5acre parking lot with space for 300 vehicles will be shared by the YMCA and the park.

"We think it's a wonderful location because it doesn't impact any residential neighborhoods or any business parks," said Ray Taylor, Westlake city manager. "It represents a gathering place for families. That's what the YMCA is all about and it's what the city fosters."

The city and the YMCA will share construction and maintenance costs. The grading and preparation of the site will run about $10 million, officials said. It will cost another $6 million to build the play fields.

"There is considerable cost savings realized by this arrangement as various onsite improvements would be shared by the YMCA and the city," Taylor said.

A fiscal budget committee developed several financing models including use of the city's capital reserves.The city already received a $1 million grant from the state and a $250,000 contribution from the county.

Representatives from several local youth sports groups voiced their support, including financial aid, for the project.

"We are committed to aggressively going after any funding we can get, whether it be federal funding, state funding, wherever we need to go and we will ask the people of our community," Mayor Sue McSweeney said.

The currently city has four parks on 15 acres, but only 4 acres are devoted to active use, Taylor said. The YMCA and sports park have been debated for years.

"Twenty-two years ago I was a founding member of the Y. That's how long we've been talking about this project," McSweeney said. "You can see that to build something like this and to make a dream come true for generations in the community does take a lot of hours and commitment."

The facility would add to the quality of life for families who often have to travel to surrounding communities to take their children to sports practices and games, according to City Council member Mark Rutherford.

"Our kids have so much homework . . .so much to do. Driving to the fields and elsewhere is time taken away from family time," Rutherford said. "It's one of those intangibles that you really can't qualify but you sure feel it when you're doing it."

"It's a pleasure to hear so much input, so much support," Councilmember Jim Bruno said.