Future Bright for Ygnacio Valley High Sports Field

Ygnacio Valley High School's sports field may soon be busier and brighter, despite concern from neighbors who say planned improvements amount to creating a "complete sports arena."

The Mount Diablo Unified School District will vote Wednesday on the environmental impact report for the Ygnacio Valley High sports field improvement project. Proposed additions to the sports field include stadium lighting, a sound wall, a concession stand and restroom building, a PA system, a press box and a ticket booth — all with the aim of enabling evening sports events and encouraging more community participation.

Residents who live adjacent to the sports field say the project would have a significant impact on the quality of life in the neighborhood by way of noise and light pollution as well as environmental pollution from construction and increased traffic. The district has compiled community comments and responses in a document available on the project page of the MDUSD website and concludes that "all substantive comments... have been duly considered and incorporated" into the final environmental impact report and "a good faith effort" has been made to find alternatives where possible.

Community members will have an opportunity for public comment during the MDUSD board meeting Wednesday. Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the School District Board Room at 1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord. If the environmental impact report is approved, the board could green light the project in its next meeting on Aug. 28.

Documents pertaining to the project can be found on the MDUSD website.

What do you think of the Ygnacio Valley High sports field improvement project? Will it impact your neighborhood? Share your thoughts in the comments below.