For more information about reserving or using the sports field please contact:

Association of Sports Fields Users:

The East Bay Regional Park District does not manage reservations for the sports field. All request should be sent via e-mail to info@asfu.org.

September 19, 2008

Residents from all over the East Bay celebrated the opening of the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex when the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the five East Bay cities of Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, and Richmond hosted opening ceremonies on Saturday, September 6.

The state-of-the-art facility is the result of an unprecedented joint venture between the five cities that was forged to create solutions to the shortage of sports fields in the region. The complex includes cutting-edge "green" features, and is intended to serve teams from around the region who play soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and more. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the north synthetic turf field at the facility, and was followed by scheduled sports league games.

"The Park District is committed to encouraging youths to be active outdoors, and so is quite pleased to work with the City of Berkeley on such a greatly needed sports facility," said Pat O’Brien, General Manager of the East Bay Regional Park District.

To ease the demand for playing fields for the region's estimated 17,000 players, the five East Bay cities entered into a joint powers agreement (JPA) in late 2003 to develop a regional sports complex on the Gilman Street property. Located at the intersection of I-80 and Gilman Street in northwest Berkeley. The property is owned by EBRPD.

Design began in May 2005, and construction in June 2007. The first phase of construction was completed in September 2008 and consisted of two all-purpose lighted synthetic fields built to accommodate soccer, rugby, and lacrosse. Three non-lighted natural turf fields can also accommodate baseball and will be ready for play in spring 2009. After funding has been secured for the second phase, the facility will provide two softball fields, one baseball field, and additional site amenities. An East Bay non-profit organization will manage and operate the fields on a fee-based, reservation-only system. The fields are located in, and will be leased by, the City of Berkeley, but will be regionally accessible.

"Everyone involved with the Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club is excited about the opening of the fields," said Steven Morrison, General Manager of the Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club. "Youth soccer is desperate for more fields. Not only are the new facilities great, but they also help to take the pressure off our existing fields, improving the athletic experience for thousands of children in the region."

The sports complex was designed by SFE Landscape Design Inc., located in San Ramon and Moraga, and constructed by McGuire and Hester Inc. of Oakland. The construction company of R.C. Knapp Inc. donated approximately 99,000 tons of clean soil. The project has the following conservation features:

-A "bio-swale," or a grass strip, on the west side of the fields will filter all storm water runoff from the synthetic turf fields of urban contaminants and particulates before it drains to the Bay.

-The synthetic turf fields will not require water or mowing, which uses fuel, drastically reducing the carbon footprint of the fields.

-Special "grey water" pipes will allow the fields to be watered with reclaimed "grey" water as soon as East Bay Municipal Utility District makes that service available.

Funding to acquire the property came from $8.5 million in East Bay Regional Park District Measure AA Bond Funds; $2 million from the State Coastal Conservancy; a charitable donation of $3.6 million from Magna Entertainment Corporation, which previously owned the property; and an additional $750,000 from EBRPD for land reclamation. Construction was funded by $5 million from California State Parks, $2 million from CBS Outdoors Inc., and additional funding from the five East Bay cities.

Directions: From I-80 westbound in Berkeley, take the Gilman Street exit. At the stop sign, turn right onto Gilman Street towards the Bay. Enter the sports complex on the left. From I-80 eastbound in Berkeley, take the Gilman Street exit. Turn left at the stop sign onto Gilman Street towards the Bay. Enter the sports complex on the left. Additional parking will be at the end of Gilman Street on right hand side under the tree lane.