La Quinta Sports Complex Gets Free Face-Lift
The La Quinta Sports Complex baseball and softball fields are getting a much-needed face-lift thanks to the good will of two local companies. N.E.I. Construction and Johnson Rental Services donated their time and equipment to help repair the fields located off Avenue 50 near Washington Street, next to La Quinta Middle School.
The need to repair the fields is obvious to many of the people who use the facility. “I think it certainly needs some repair, especially in the outfield and grass area,” said Curt Caspersen, who was visiting from San Diego.
Weeds and uneven dirt not only make the fields unsightly but unsafe. The park’s disrepair presents some tough questions for the La Quinta Youth and Sports Association’s new board. “Kids first no matter what,” said Board president Anthony Manriquez. “That has been our main focus. Everything that we do, we stop and says kids first. How are we going to make it better for them? How are we going to make it easier for the kids to come?”
The two companies stepped up to answer those questions for one simple reason. “Just down here to help the kids, the local kids, so they have something to do,” said N.E.I. Vice President Scott Stice. “Just down here to help the local kids.”
More than 800 boys and girls are signed up to play in the league this year. The program has proven to help these young people immensely. “I’ve gained confidence and sportsmanship and learning to be really good at baseball,” said Matthew Drew, a thirteen-year-old who’s played in the league for six years.
Unlike many of the parks in desert cities, the La Quinta Sports Complex sits on property owned by the school district. The city provided money to pour concrete and install fences last year, but when funds ran out, the field renovation got put on hold. The city currently maintains the fields, but the board needs to go to the school district for any renovation money.
“They put a hold on it, because of what’s been going on with the school district, the letting go of people and whatnot, but that money was supposed to be go into redoing the fields completely,” said Manriquez.
The two volunteer companies cannot completely revamp the fields in one day, however they hope this is a start to inspiring the community. “The kids getting immersed in the community, the parents getting involved in the community, both by coming and watching their kids as well as supporting and donating,” said Caspersen. “I think it means everything.”
The sports complex will showcase their revamp on their opening day, Saturday, February 25. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m.
