FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: January 24, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Stone (619) 531-4766
NEW LAKESIDE BASEBALL PARK A HIT WITH COMMUNITY
LAKESIDE– Spring arrived early in Lakeside on Saturday as
Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and officials from the County of San Diego
unveiled the new Lakeside Baseball Park, a state-of-the-art baseball
complex situated on 10-acres of land along the banks of the San Diego
River.
Chairwoman Jacob and officials and players from the
Lakeside National Little League threw out the ceremonial first pitch as a
happy crowd of young ballplayers and their families joined in a chorus
of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” sung by County Chief Administrative
Officer Walt Ekard.
“It’s been a seven year journey to build this gem of a
ballpark for Lakeside kids,” Chairwoman Jacob told the crowd. “Yet, the
success stories that will come from these special fields will last for
generations,” she said.
The new field features classic ballpark amenities and
boasts four artificial turf fields, premier stadium lighting, two
batting cages, a playground and concession building. Team members from
the Lakeside National Little League contributed to the overall design of
the project.
“This is so much more than a ballpark,” Chairwoman Jacob
said. “It’s a source of pride for the people of Lakeside and we hope
it’ll bring economic benefits. Already, the park is attracting national
tournaments. We want those visitors to shop, eat and play in Lakeside.”
Chairwoman Jacob credited the league and a long list of
Lakeside community groups for seeing the project through to reality. She
thanked the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, the Lakeside Planning Group,
the Lakeside Design Review Board, the Lakeside River Conservancy, the
Lakeside Revitalization Committee and others.
The facility’s price tag was $8.5 million and does not
include the purchase of the land. It was funded through state bonds, the
County general fund and Second District Community Projects funds. The
Lakeside National Little League will manage and operate the park.
For more information, please visit www.sdparks.org.