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Local coaches push Encinitas to convert ECP3 to multi‑use turf and extend field hours
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Summary
Coaches and sports group representatives told the council that Encinitas lacks sufficient high‑quality field space, asking to redesign ECP3 as synthetic turf with solar portable lights to increase usable hours and support more than 7,000 youth athletes; presenters pledged fundraising help but acknowledged capital costs.
Youth sports leaders told the Encinitas City Council during the retreat's public comment period that limited field space is constraining youth programming and long‑term athlete development.
Phil Shuttleworth, director of coaching at Express Soccer Club, represented more than 2,500 youth athletes and urged the city to preserve field access so local teams do not have to play in neighboring cities. "We do not want fields to be the reason that Encinitas residents are forced to play sports in neighboring cities," he said.
Brett Middleswith and other coaches outlined a specific proposal for ECP3 (the field nearest Community Park playground): remove the baseball diamond, install synthetic turf (they referenced a turf product with a 25‑year warranty) and add portable, solar‑powered lighting to extend hours without large permanent stadium lights. Presenters said synthetic turf and lights would reduce renovation downtime that now closes fields for weeks each year and would increase hourly availability for multi‑sport use. Middleswith said the sports groups have organized roughly 7,000 local athletes and would help fundraise for installation costs.
Council members and staff recorded the request for inclusion in the next fiscal planning process and the capital improvement program (CIP) discussions. Staff will evaluate options, including cost estimates, maintenance tradeoffs (synthetic turf versus natural grass), and neighborhood lighting impacts, before any formal council decision.
Next steps: staff to return with feasibility details (cost, maintenance, environmental and safety considerations) and possible funding strategies for the ECP3 redesign in the FY 2026–27 planning cycle.
