An overhaul of the sports fields near Kenmore Middle School is expected to begin construction later this year.
Construction could start in the fall and take about a year. In place of the existing, aging fields would rise a complex providing two baseball/softball diamonds plus rectangular fields for soccer, field hockey and lacrosse.
“Our goal is to wrap up [the permit process] and go into bidding this spring. If all goes well, we’d like to bring this project to the [County] Board by summer,” said Bernadette Grullon, a Department of Parks and Recreation staff member serving as project manager.
The fields, which are also adjacent to Carlin Springs Elementary School, would feature synthetic turf with natural infill.
Grullon and colleague Tim McIntosh briefed the Sports Commission on progress at its Feb. 26 meeting.
New batting cages and an entry plaza are on track to be constructed, and the adjacent tennis and basketball courts will remain. Pathways will lead to existing parking lots at the schools.
When baseball or softball games are scheduled, temporary fences will be rigged. The maximum distance to center field will be 225 feet on the smaller field, 350 feet on the larger, Grullon said.
County officials in 2024 estimated the total project cost at just over $10 million, split between the county government, school system and contributions from the Arlington Soccer Association and Arlington Sports Foundation.
Sports Commission members raised concerns about maintaining ongoing public support for the project during difficult economic conditions.
“We’re in an environment right now where anything involving county spending is under a microscope,” said commission member George Thompson.
Thompson warned against a gold-plated project. “I would be wary of the backlash,” he said.
McIntosh said the project was rubbing up against its budgeted amount, which likely would make further enhancements impossible.
“We’re getting really close to the estimate — really close,” he said.
Still, Sports Commission members made several requests.
Adam Rasmussen zeroed in on the two batting cages that would be adjacent to one of the ballfields. He requested consideration of adding a third.
Even if that was not possible, Rasmussen hoped county staff would deliver design improvements compared to a previous batting-cage project.
“We learned some things from the Barcroft batting-cage experience that we really want to make sure don’t happen with these cages,” he said.
County Board members later this month are expected to consider a use-permit amendment to add two additional light poles to those existing on the site. The poles will not be any higher than those already in place, and the lighting is designed to focus on the fields, Grullon said.
There would be “very little spillage” onto other areas, including homes on 2nd Street S. just north of the fields, she said.
At their February meeting, Sports Commission members decided to draft a letter of support for the project.
“We probably should do that, just to get it on the record,” commission chair Lizzy Stell said.
While the project does not appear to be imperiled, “it was good for us to get up to speed” on it,” Stell said.
