Lompoc residents share views on Riverbend Park soccer field expansion
The city held its first community workshop on a proposed multi-million-dollar project to expand and renovate soccer fields at Riverbend Park.
Lompoc's Parks and Recreation Department invited residents to weigh in on plans to expand and renovate soccer fields at Riverbend Park. The first community workshop drew parents, coaches, and neighbors eager to discuss what the project could mean for local families.
Recreation and Parks Manager Hannah Wallace said the meeting aimed to gauge interest and explore how the community might help bring the project to life. The current proposal carries an estimated price tag of around $7 million, depending on final bids. Plans call for adding turf fields, a new parking lot, and a walking path, though restrooms and concessions are not part of the initial design.
Different Priorities Emerge
Some parents see the expansion as a chance to give kids more safe places to play. Others, including Randi Chavoya, a referee administrator with Lompoc AYSO, believe the city should first renovate the existing fields across the street before launching a new project. Chavoya said her group wants to focus energy on improving what's already there.
Mayor James Mosby noted that two local nonprofits have already expressed interest in coordinating efforts to move the project forward. The city is also looking into grant opportunities tied to climate risk, as the area faces elevated fire and flood concerns. Wallace said those factors are increasingly influencing funding decisions.
The project remains in early planning stages, with more community workshops on the horizon. For updates on local projects and happenings, visit /news or check out upcoming gatherings at /events.
Facts via KSBY.
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