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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Adopt Plans and Specifications for the Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 Artificial Turf Project
1. Resolution adopting plans and specifications for Specification No. 3874 for the Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 Artificial Turf Project and directing the City Clerk to advertise for bids.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Item
Approved for October 6, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 Artificial Turf Project will replace the existing natural turf with artificial turf to improve field availability and accommodate continued recreational use. The conversion is anticipated to increase field availability by approximately 92 days annually by reducing closures associated with seasonal maintenance and weather conditions. The project will provide more consistent access to Field 3 for softball, baseball, soccer, and other recreational use.
The purpose of this item is to request that the City Council adopt the project plans and specifications and authorize the City Clerk to advertise for bids. Following the competitive bidding process, staff will return to City Council with recommendations for contract award.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a resolution to adopt the plans and specifications for the Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 Artificial Turf Project and direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids.
ANALYSIS
The 27-acre Glendale Sports Complex, located at 2200 Fern Lane in the San Rafael Hills, opened in April of 1999 and operates daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The facility includes two artificial turf soccer fields, one state of the art artificial turf baseball field with a U12 soccer field overlay, two natural-grass softball fields, a concession stand, public restrooms, and a meeting room. The Sports Complex is also home to the "Mountain Do" and Catalina Verdugo Trail.
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The city is now prepared to move forward with the design and development of a second artificial turf softball field at the Glendale Sports Complex. The proposed project will convert the entire playing surface of Field 3, including the softball infield and foul ball territory, from natural to artificial turf. The field will be striped both for softball (foul lines) and two U-10 soccer fields (center circle, half way line, penalty area, goal area, sidelines, and end lines). The dimensions of the existing softball field will remain unchanged.
The natural turf softball field at the Glendale Sports Complex, currently referred to as the Sports Complex Field 3, is heavily used for softball, baseball and soccer practices and games, as well as general public use. The level of use contributes to the deterioration of the natural turf, particularly in areas of the outfield. The field area is also closed for up to three months each fall for annual maintenance and is subject to weather-related closures during the winter months. For every day of rain at the Glendale Sports Complex, the field may remain closed for an additional two to four days to allow the infield and turf to dry thoroughly.
Converting Sports Complex Field 3 from natural to artificial turf is anticipated to increase field availability by approximately 92 days per year or 1,380 hours annually. The additional availability will help alleviate the existing demand for softball and soccer fields at the Glendale Sports Complex and provide more consistent access for recreational programming throughout the year.
On December 3, 2019, Council approved the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with SWA Group, Inc. to provide design of the new artificial turf.
On September 21, 2021, City Council directed staff to hire Citadel EHS to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment and Triple Bottom Line Analysis comparing artificial and natural turf for multipurpose fields at Freemont Park, Pacific Park, Sports Complex Field 3, Cerritos Elementary, and Wilson Middle School.
As a part of the assessment, Citadel held a key stakeholder meeting on February 16, 2022, to identify and prioritize the criteria in evaluating the surface types. The process resulted in 14 topic areas within three impact categories: Environment, Human Health, and Community. Citadel’s findings concluded that artificial turf with natural Geofill offered the highest potential to balance the diverse priorities based on the categories identified.
A joint meeting of the Sustainability, Parks and Recreation and Community Services Commissions was held on June 2, 2022 to present the findings. The Sustainability Commission voted 3-2 in favor of artificial turf at Sports Complex Field 3 only and recommended City Council proceed with natural turf at the remaining four sites. Parks and Recreation, and Community Services Commission voted 3-2 in favor of artificial turf at Fremont Park, Pacific Park, and Sports Complex Field 3 and deferred to City Council regarding the two school sites.
On June 28, 2022, Council approved the installation of Shaw Sports Turf NXT Paly with Geofill at Sports Complex Field 3.
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The proposed replacement of the field surface will include:
• Shaw, Legion NXT 2.0 turf, which uses the natural geofill product that is 90% coconut husk;
• Brock Powerbase YSR underlayment pad; and
• Field Groomer and Sweeper.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Winter 2027 and will be coordinated with the field’s annual maintenance season, when the field would typically be closed for restoration, thereby minimizing impacts to scheduled field use.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Glendale Sports Complex multi-purpose field is a high-use facility with multiple users as listed below:
1. City:
a. Community Services & Parks (CSP)
• Primary operating department
• Sports programming and field scheduling
• Facility reservations and permits
• Maintenance and day-to-day operations
• Youth and adult sports programs
2. Community:
• Youth sports organizations
• Adult sports leagues
• Local schools
All user groups have expressed support for replacing the Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 artificial turf field. Construction will be coordinated to minimize impacts to schedule filed use. If any scheduled activities are impacted during construction, all impacted users will be notified in advance, and the city will work to accommodate them at other available fields to the best of their ability, with priority given to youth groups before adult groups.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The Glendale Sports Complex Field 3 Artificial Turf Project construction is estimated to cost $1,300,000. Funding for this project was previously approved and is available in the FY 2026-27 budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This project is Categorically Exempt under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 2 exemption pursuant state CEQA Guidelines, Section 15302.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
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This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Do not to approve the resolution which will thereby defer the improvements and maintain the status quo conditions and use of this facility.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Arthur Asaturyan, Senior Project Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None