Council to Consider Renaming Farm Site

Close the barn door on the Costa Mesa Farm.

The City Council next week will consider renaming the Fairview Road property as the Costa Mesa Sports Complex. The name aims to reflect the farm’s impending transformation into six soccer fields. The city in 1996 bought the 18-acre site, next to Costa Mesa High School, for $7 million from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

With an estimated price tag of $1.75 million for the fields, the city soon will seek construction proposals. The fields should open for play by year’s end.

“Two monument signs are included in the project, and we need to know what will go on the signs to identify the site,” said Keith Van Holt, community services director for the city.

Parks commissioners suggested Costa Mesa Sports Complex. Some have suggested keeping “farm” in the name for historical significance. If council members dislike the suggested name, they can create their own or select from several options: Costa Mesa Soccer Farm, Costa Mesa Sports Farm, Costa Mesa Soccer Garden, Costa Mesa Soccer Ranch and Costa Mesa Soccer Facility.

The council meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. Information: (949) 574-5223.