Hiller Sports Complex [1]
Hiller Sports Complex
675 Hiller Road, McKinleyville CA 95519
Great For
Sporting Events, Sports Leagues, Tournaments
About Hiller Sports Complex:
The Hiller Sports Complex planning began back in 1992 after the passage of Measure B. Plans were designed for the entire 58-acre Hiller east site and the south portion of the 60-acre Wastewater Management Facility parcel. Clearing began on the Hiller east parcel in the mid-nineties while plans and permits were being developed. The determination that a small wetland was located in the middle of the site delayed the project for a few years for mitigation and relocation. Ultimately the project got back on track about 2000 with the relocation of the wetland and completion of design plans.
Financing has always been a concern since the State of California, through the tax shifts in the early nineties, had taken over one million dollars of the District tax revenues. That tax shift continues at present and was even more of a problem over the last two years with additional Proposition 1A tax shifts. Financing was a combination of grant funds, District reserves and local donations that enabled construction to begin in earnest in 2002. The two little league fields were completed for the 2005 season and the Babe Ruth and softball fields were ready for the 2006 season.
The District is very grateful to all the local businesses that have donated materials, labor or equipment to this project. The Construction Committee of Tim Hooven, Jim Furtado, Rex Bohn, Ross Miller, Justin Zabel and Eleanor Sullivan were particularly helpful to the District to get the construction started and complete the major elements. The District continues to work on the complex and hopes to complete soccer fields in the summer and fall of 2007 as funding becomes available.
The sports complex is a terrific facility and will be the nucleus of the regional park that will continue to be developed with the marshes, playground areas, trails, observation areas, information kiosks and wild life viewing areas. We are excited about this new project and for the recreational opportunities it will provide over the coming decades.
