From left, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and LA County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella discuss the Downey Sports Complex during the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Downey Mayor Claudia M. Frometa speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Downey Sports Complex on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The design plans for the future Downey Sports Complex on display during the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Downey Sports Complex on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
From left, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and LA County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella discuss the Downey Sports Complex during the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
From left, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and LA County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella discuss the Downey Sports Complex during the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
From left, Council Member Catherine Alvarez, Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco, Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa, Council Member Sean Ashton and City Manager Gilbert A. Livas pose for a photograph during the groundbreaking of the Downey Sports Complex on Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
This rendering shows what a portion of the 5-acre, approximately $12 billion Downey Sports Complex will look like once it’s finished. Los Angeles County and Downey officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the facility, set to finish in November, on Saturday morning, March 13. (Courtesy of Los Angeles County)
This rendering shows what a portion of the 5-acre, approximately $12 billion Downey Sports Complex will look like once it’s finished. Los Angeles County and Downey officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the facility, set to finish in November, on Saturday morning, March 13. (Courtesy of Los Angeles County)
Work is underway on a $12.12 million Downey sports facility that’s part of a larger effort to redevelop 70 acres of Los Angeles County land that were once part of a rehabilitation hospital.
County officials marked the start of construction on the Downey Sports Complex with a ceremonial groundbreaking Saturday morning, March 13. The already-in-progress 5-acre complex is set to be finished in November and will boast three multipurpose sports fields, a restroom, a concession stand, an equipment storage room, office space and a surface parking lot, according to a press release from Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office. Her Fourth District includes Downey, and her office provided $10 million for the project.
The rest came from Downey, which will pay for the synthetic turf, office space and a scoreboard. Once the facility is ready to open, Downey will lease the complex from the county for $1 a year and operate it.
“I think a lot of us over this past year realized how much we took for granted when we weren’t allowed to do those things anymore,” Hahn said in a statement before the groundbreaking, alluding to the coronavirus pandemic. “And for many people — especially kids — that was sports! Sports aren’t just about exercise. They build comradery, confidence, and leadership skills.”
Downey officials did not return a request for comment Friday night on their plans for the facility, such as whether they intend it primarily for residents or as a regional attraction, and whether they plan to give operating permits for youth sports leagues.
But Hahn, in her statement, emphasized the facility benefitting Downey.
“Sports are an important part of childhood,” she said, “and this sports complex is going to be an asset to Downey residents.”
The complex is part of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus, which the county plans to eventually redevelop. But much of the planning for that larger effort has not yet been finalized, said Liz Odendahl, a Hahn spokeswoman.
Those 70 acres, on the South Gate border, were part of the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, which Los Angeles County operates. But about 30 years ago, according to the press release from Hahn’s office, the center consolidated its facilities — leaving the south campus abandoned.
Hahn attended the groundbreaking with Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa, Councilmembers Blanca Pacheco and Sean Ashton, and LA County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella. The ceremony was socially distanced to abide by coronavirus health guidelines.
