City Proposals Vie to Sideline Sport X Plan

THOUSAND OAKS —  Right now, perhaps even the late Malcolm X would fail to generate as much controversy in this town as Sport X.

The remarkably unpopular proposal to build a private, for-profit athletic complex in Thousand Oaks’ most popular public park has dominated the City Council’s discussions for the past month.

Angry residents have berated city leaders for failing to put the kibosh on Sport X, which only exists in concept because the project’s developers have yet to file any plans.

Not surprisingly, council members have responded--so much so, in fact, that they have formed a series of dueling proposals over how to do away with Sport X once and for all. The City Council discussed the flaws and advantages of the different proposals--and proclaimed their unanimous dislike for the project.

Councilman Mike Markey pushed for the formation of an ad hoc committee to study alternatives to Sport X. The panel would have been made up of residents, two council members and two board members from both the Conejo Valley Unified School District and the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

But residents told the council they did not want a committee leaving the public out of the discussions on the project.

“We want to keep all these discussions in the public arena,” said Steve Cook of Keep Parks Public, a group of residents formed to oppose Sport X.

Another opponent, Michael Hagopian, added, “If I want to pigeonhole a meeting or sidestep an event, ad hoc committees serve a good purpose.”

Markey agreed to withdraw his proposal. “From what I hear tonight, they don’t want it,” he said

Markey has also suggested placing a bond measure before the city’s voters to upgrade Conejo Creek Park, thereby eliminating any need for Sport X. Residents are also considering a ballot measure that would prohibit a private project on public parkland.

But soccer players and horseback riders who use open fields now say they don’t want the improvements a bond measure could bring.

“The public has already told you what we want. We want the same thing that has been going on there already,” said Sandra Clayton from the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Elois Zeanah proposed a more far-reaching solution to the Sport X problem: She asked council members to adopt a new policy barring all public open space in the city from being used by any private group to make money.

Zeanah’s idea was assailed by Markey and other council members for being too restrictive. Mayor Andy Fox has said it would prevent the city from allowing private restaurants and pro shops at the Los Robles Greens golf course, and prohibit sports leagues from selling snacks at city parks.

The council agreed to study the ramifications of Zeanah’s proposal, and then took a straw vote on Sport X, rejecting it unanimously.

“I’m not supporting any public land for private development,” Fox said. Still, he added, “I think it’s completely unethical to consider voting for a proposal that is not before the school board, the park board or the council.”

Sport X, expected to cost about $35 million, included plans to build an outdoor track and indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a gymnasium and other sports facilities at Conejo Creek Park, which serves as the site of the Conejo Valley Days festival each April.

The proposal would also include a retail corridor where corporate sponsors would be able to advertise and sell their products, a cafeteria that would sell alcohol, and a series of express-type, fast-food restaurants.