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City finishes Field of Dreams upgrades to host Transcendence Theater; council praised community collaboration
Summary
The city completed site improvements at Field of Dreams to relocate Transcendence Theater's stage, adding an all‑weather surface, drainage and ADA access; Transcendence is set to open June 12 for a condensed season of 26 performances. The project combined public works, parks staff, the Field of Dreams board and donated contractor time.
The Sonoma City Council heard an update May 20 confirming near completion of Field of Dreams site improvements that move Transcendence Theater’s stage to a new location intended to reduce neighborhood noise and reactivate other fields for youth sports.
Parks & Recreation Director Dave Jans and Public Works Director Mike Burgerer described construction that included grading ~15,000 square feet, installation of more than 100 linear feet of new storm drains, bio‑retention features, an approximately 10,000‑square‑foot all‑weather performance surface, ADA parking and access improvements and a new pedestrian/bike pathway connection. The improvements are designed both to shift the stage orientation away from some homes and to allow rapid reactivation of Fosio Field for youth sports after the theater season.
“We focused both on sound mitigation and on reactivating fields for youth,” Dave Jans said, describing the relocation and the timeline. Transcendence is scheduled to begin move‑in the week of May 28 and start performances June 12; the company plans three productions across June–August for a total of 26 performance evenings.
Public Works Director Mike Burgerer credited a cross‑sector effort including the Field of Dreams board (noting JJ Abdili, MT Robertson and Sheamus Canning), contractors who donated time and materials, and city crews who handled concrete, paving, striping and drainage. Contractor Saras Corporation performed grading work pro bono or at reduced cost; Chad Maul prepared the design drawings.
Councilmembers praised the collaborative model, and staff said the city will monitor noise and site performance during the season and make further adjustments post‑season if needed. A ribbon‑cutting hosted by the Chamber and Field of Dreams is scheduled for May 28 at 5:30 p.m.; the stage load‑in begins at the end of that week.
What happens next: staff will monitor sound, oversee Transcendence’s operations, and evaluate any final adjustments to drainage, sightlines or traffic patterns after the season.
