Shafter marks start of $30M sports complex

A groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for The Wonderful Company Community Sports Complex in Shafter was attended by dignitaries and other prominent figures, generating excitement for the project that will feature four basketball courts, three soccer fields, four baseball fields, two softball fields, five baseball batting cages, three universal courts, three handball courts, two large youth/child playgrounds, two barbecue picnic areas, a baseball concession stand, three parking lots and two restrooms.

Construction will begin in December, with an estimated completion date of 12 to 15 months. The total cost for the 42-acre project is expected to be $30 million.

SRPD District Manager Phillip Jimenez, who grew up next to Rodriguez Park, expressed his passion for parks: "It's a big part of the quality of life, and we need to have an area where kids can have access to baseball fields, softball fields, basketball courts, handball courts and open grass areas for people to hold functions. We also need areas for people to walk in lighted areas that are safe, especially during the winter months."

He added that the most exciting aspect of the new complex is starting the process and leaving an imprint on his community: "Being from Shafter and raised here, going through all the schools, leaving for college and returning to give back is an awesome feeling. It's always been a dream of mine to build a park, and thanks to the help of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick family and The Wonderful Company, we can turn our dreams into reality."

Andy Anzaldo, The Wonderful Company's chief operating officer of corporate social responsibility, said of the company's $5.5 million donation to the state-of-the-art facility – the largest philanthropic gift to a parks and recreation district in Kern County, "When The Wonderful Company considers philanthropic projects, our first priority is to invest in the community where our employees live and work. When we looked at the impact this project could have on these employees, their families, and the families living in surrounding areas such as Wasco, McFarland, Delano and Bakersfield, we saw that it would reach tens of thousands of people there."

He emphasized that the sports complex reflects The Wonderful Company's commitment to health and wellness: "When many people think about health, they think about what happens in the doctor's office. We focus on what happens outside the doctor's office, investing in infrastructure that supports physical activity and healthier behaviors."

Mayor Chad Givens believes the sports complex aligns with Shafter's long-term goals: "Shafter is driven by healthy families involved in strong communities with a vision of always putting families first."

Givens also sees potential benefits for local tourism: "The city is looking to invest in the mindset of being an iconic destination, which means we're not just looking at what we do locally but also at how we as a city affect our region and state. We want to be the positive influence that creates change for families today and our future tomorrow."

The Shafter Recreation and Parks District board of directors chair, Nelson Salinas, was overwhelmed by the ceremony's success: "I always expected it to be big, but the level of representation from the community and the support really warmed my heart. So far, everyone in the community is thrilled, and I think they are ready to step on the green grass and enjoy themselves."

With the new sports complex, the Shafter Recreation and Parks District will have its own facility, and Cristina Camacho, a member of the SRPD board, expressed her enthusiasm: "Now they can create and grow their programs, providing more opportunities for our children and youth to develop a passion for sports and recreational activities."