Oxnard Council corrects La Colonia Boxing Gym name before Dallas Cowboys training camp agreement

The Oxnard City Council convened on July 1, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including a significant renovation project and a partnership with the Dallas Cowboys.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding the La Colonia Boxing Gym, which was renamed in 2020 to include the title of Dr. Manuel Lopez Youth Center. Council member Herrera raised concerns about the wording in the project overview, stating that it incorrectly implied the historic name of La Colonia Boxing Gym had been removed. He emphasized the importance of preserving the gym's legacy and requested that the wording be corrected to reflect that the name of Dr. Manuel Lopez was added, rather than replacing the original name. The council acknowledged Herrera's input and agreed to address the issue.

Following this, the council moved on to the second agenda item, which involved an agreement with Blue Star Operations Services, the entity associated with the Dallas Cowboys. This agreement pertains to the use of city facilities for the Dallas Cowboys training camp from 2026 through 2030. City Manager Winn provided insights into the agreement, which was not initially discussed in committee.

Council member Caswell raised a question regarding a specific requirement in the agreement that mandates Oxnard officials wear Dallas Cowboys-branded apparel during opening ceremonies. This raised concerns about the appropriateness of such branding for city officials.

The council proceeded to vote on the motion to approve the renovation project and the agreement with Blue Star Operations Services, which passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to preserving local heritage while also fostering partnerships that could enhance community engagement and economic opportunities. The next steps will involve addressing the wording concerns regarding the La Colonia Boxing Gym and finalizing the details of the training camp agreement.