A revitalized Pico Park was celebrated last month as a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the opening of the Roldan Futsal Court and Outdoor Basketball Courts.
The newest outdoor amenities are located on the once underutilized blacktop next to the playground. For years, the blacktop area sat unused, with only a handball court and faded basketball markings on the floor. During the summer months, the camp program would occasionally use the area for group activities, but it has never been used to capacity until now.
The revitalization process began last year when City staff met with resident and MLS Soccer star, Cristian Roldan of the Seattle Sounders, to bring a 5-on-5 mini-pitch soccer field, otherwise known as a Futsal Court, to the City. Since the initial meeting, City staff began working with Cristian as well as his brothers Cesar, and Alex, to make this a reality.
During a City Council meeting last June, the City Council approved the development of a Futsal Court at Pico Park, and soon after, City staff began the design of the color scheme of the court. Groundbreaking for the Futsal Court then took place in December.
With plans for the Futsal Court in place, City Staff continued to find ways to use this previously unused portion of Pico Park to better benefit the local community. One amenity that Pico Park was lacking was outdoor public basketball courts.
At the same time as the construction of the Roldan Futsal Court, a new Outdoor Basketball Court was constructed thanks to a grant awarded last year from the Youth Sports and Play Grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association, through the generous support of The Walt Disney Company.
The courts were finished last month and they include the Roldan Futsal Court, which will be used for Futsal programming and free play, two basketball half courts for practices and pickup games, and court lighting for evening play. Additionally, the Futsal Court can be used as a full-court basketball court for outdoor games, free play, and youth practices.
In addition to the new courts, the City has reached an agreement with the Roldan Family, and Xtratime, the marketing firm representing the Roldan Brothers, for the naming rights to the Futsal Court in exchange for a sponsorship fee of $8,600 for the next 8 years. The sponsorship fees will be used to maintain the Roldan Futsal Court. The Roldan Brothers will participate in and promote four soccer clinics per year at the Roldan Futsal Court, along with the sponsorship and agreement.
During last month’s ceremony, over 300 local residents came out to join in on the festivities. The Roldan Family was present to cut the ceremonial ribbon, and Cesar Roldan, along with Los Angeles Galaxy soccer players, were on hand to take pictures and sign autographs for soccer and Galaxy fans.
The Roldan Futsal Court and Outdoor Basketball Courts are now open to the public and will be open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week and nights for City approved practices, games, or other activities.
