The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors got an update on the Grizzly Stadium project on Tuesday and offered some informal support for the effort. Board members took no action, but did direct staff to look into the availability of funds that could help the project get started.

PICTURED ABOVE IS A RENDERING OF THE PROPOSED GRIZZLY STADIUM BY MARC FARIAS JONES, A MEMBER OF THE GRIZZLY STADIUM COMMITTEE. Mariposa County High School Associated Student Body President Richard Ballinger and Athletic Commissioner Jarrett Miller made the presentation to the board.

Ballinger told the board that the concept of creating a fullscale stadium on the lower athletic fields between MCHS and Mariposa Elementary School is not a new one. “It has been seriously considered before, but never attempted,” he said. “There now exists a collective group of residents and community leaders with the organization, drive and determination to achieve that goal, the county’s other stations is being paid through federal stimulus funds, thereby allowing the county to use its own discretionary funds for the Bridgeport station.

County Administrative Officer Rick Benson told the board about the property. “It appears to be ideal for building a new fire station,” he said. “It’s a very good location to serve the entire region,” he said, noting that the Mormon Bar station will not close. The new fire station will act as a substation for that company.

Supervisor Janet Bibby, who represents that area, was thrilled to offer the motion to approve the land purchase. “This project has been worked on since 1994,” she said. “It evolved over the years with extraordinary benefits to all.”

The county has been looking for an appropriate piece of property for some time. It had entered into negotiations with the Mariposa County Unified School District on a piece of land it owns, but the deal fell through.

Residents in the area have been lobbying for a new station, as there was concern that other stations were too far away. There was a threat that homeowners could fall into a higher fire risk category, making insurance very expensive or even impossible to obtain.

Benson said the land will cost $88,000 plus escrow fees, and the deal will move quickly. “We expect to close this deal this week,” he said.

The board unanimously approved the land purchase. The total cost to the county is $94,934.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS STORY, OR READ OTHER COMMENTS, VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.MARIPOSAGAZETTE. COM