The Lathrop City Council already approved a joint-use agreement with Banta Elementary School District that will allow the city to use a 16-acre park located adjacent to the River Islands STEAM Academy for community recreation.
And if the council gives its blessing on Monday, that park could soon be home to the facilities and equipment for two of the most popular sports on the face of the planet.
According to the staff report prepared for the council, the city is proposing the installation of a cricket pitch as well as the purchase of five NCAA-regulation soccer goals that will provide even more recreational opportunities for the community.
The Lathrop City Council meets on the second Monday of every month at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive – at 7 p.m.
While cricket as a sport doesn’t enjoy the same popularity in America as it does elsewhere – The United States doesn’t even crack the Top 25 countries for the sport, which is most popular in India followed by Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, and New Zealand – the sport has been gaining popularity and has a built-in fanbase amongst natives from countries where the sport dominates the culture.
The cost to construct the 15-by-100-foot cricket pitch – which will be based in concrete and covered with an all-weather synthetic surface – is being proposed with a cost not-to-exceed $62,500. According to the staff report, the pitch would be situated in a way to create the least impact on the playing fields of the adjacent school.
With a cost of $3,550 per soccer goal, the city is proposing a $46,900 package that includes taxes, shipping, and a 10 percent contingency.
Funding for the two projects will come from a $109,400 transfer from the Culture and Leisure Fees fund if the council gives its blessing on Monday night.
For additional information, or to find out more about what is on the upcoming council agenda, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
