RIPON – Elected leaders agreed last week to hire the services of Neil O. Anderson Geotechnical to handle quality control field testing for the Mistlin Sports Complex.

No discussion was necessary for the proposed $15,000 project that is a precursor to building the softball complex. Work will consist of the foundation excavation for the dugouts, field density testing, reinforcing steel and concrete observation, masonry, and structural steel, to name a few. 

The City of Ripon does not have the equipment or expertise to handle such services.

NOA, meanwhile, provides a wide range of engineering services, from geotechnical engineering along with foundation and structural engineering, to geophysical exploration and environmental and geosciences.

Ripon hopes to make Mistlin Sports Complex one of the premier facilities in Northern California.

Helping out was local businessman, philanthropist and community member Tony Mistlin, who made a sizeable donation to the project.

Once completed, the Mistlin Sports Complex will feature four new softball fields around the signature water tower. The restrooms and concession facilities are also in the plans.

The park is already in use thanks to TPR Baseball, which often occupies the two playing fields about 32 weekends out of the year.

The Mistlin baseball fields feature grass infields – the dimensions here are similar to that of San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park or Yankee Stadium – and a real pitching mound.

The four softball fields, by contrast, will have artificial-turf infields coupled with outfield fences at the 300-foot mark.

The lighting system, in addition, is state of the art.