COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa City Council has not named a location or funding source for the sports field of their dreams but the idea of what it might look like has moved from casual conversations to an actual vision.
The council presented a basic design for a multi-use sports complex at its March 19 meeting and held a robust discussion about what having a facility like this might mean for the city.
“We have to think about how to increase our tax base in the city of Colusa,” said Colusa Mayor Daniel Vaca. “We’re drying up…Our businesses are struggling. We need people to visit us. They don’t necessarily have to stay but they sure need to come visit us.”
City officials, as well as citizens at last week’s meeting, acknowledged the flow of people to Yuba City every weekend for recreation and shopping has caused local businesses to close, is putting existing businesses at risk of closure, and has resulted in the city losing tax revenue that supports services and infrastructure. In addition to residents shopping locally, they said Colusa needs a reason for people from out of the area to come to Colusa if the city is to thrive or grow its tax base.
Vaca has been behind the idea of a multi-use sports complex since first being elected to the City Council in 2020 and said it’s time for people to start talking about it as a real possibility, whether they are for or against it.
“This has kind of been my baby,” Vaca said. “It’s something I wanted to seek for the future of our kids…and for our future in general.”
City officials said the complex could include fields for softball, baseball, soccer, and other sports, an amphitheater, pickleball courts, a shade structure for a farmers’ market, a dog park, and other amenities.
“This would be something for every age,” said Councilman Ryan Codorniz.
The council has considered several locations, including city-owned property on Will S. Green Road and property on East Clay Street (if the city can acquire it from the owner through a land swap), but are also considering annexing or rezoning existing property. Once a property has been selected, the city will seek a planning grant.
To build the facility, however, officials said they would have to look for grants, partnerships with schools and other organizations, or possibly entertain a general obligation bond, but that they would not use general fund money, including any funding designated for streets and roads.
“Is this going to happen tomorrow, no,” Councilman Greg Ponciano said. “Is this going to happen next year, no. But we have to start somewhere.”
City officials said they would continue to invite citizens to be a part of the discussion and will hold public workshops to garner feedback.
While they expect some opposition, officials said that in addition to economic development, a multi-use sports complex would provide a higher quality of life for all residents.
“This is something we need in this town,” Codorniz said.
Jim White, 85, who was born and raised in Colusa, compared the dream Colusa residents have for a sports complex to the dream they had for the Scouts Cabin eight decades ago, and the partnerships that were formed to make it happen.
“I like this concept,” White said. “I know it’s going to be very expensive, but that Scouts Cabin was expensive in the 1940s. It takes forward thinking and doing what it takes to get it established.”
White said when he was a youth, only a football field at the high school existed.