The city currently lacks a full-size baseball field, but that could change in the next few years as Layton develops the West Layton Sports Complex.
Located on 45 acres south of the Swan Lakes Golf Course between 2200 West and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad tracks, the city has now developed a preliminary master plan for the park's development.Layton has hired a consulting company to help with the design, and the City Council is currently examining the plan. There are no cost estimates available yet, but they could be completed by later this month.
Besides the full-size baseball diamond, the complex would include a Little League field, seven soccer fields, three softball fields, two football fields and a Pony League field.
"This is mainly an athletic complex," Dean Allen, Layton parks and recreation director, told the City Council.
He said this type of park fits the land very well because there are few homes in the area and lighting for night games and the noise would not be much of a nuisance.
Officials hope the complex will take game pressure off many of the city's other parks, making it possible to convert them more to neighborhood-type social parks.
Allen said $200,000 a year is included in Layton's capital improvements budget for the sports complex development. Crews could begin moving dirt as early as next spring. The park would be developed in several phases, but how construction would be divided is still being studied.
"I feel we're on the right track," Allen said.
The complex would include parking for 350 cars and would eventually connect with the extension of West Hill Field Road to 2200 West.
In addition to the athletic fields, the park would also contain a mile-loop trail, several picnic shelters, a playground, concession area, tennis courts, four restrooms and a volleyball court.
"I think this would be a great asset to the city," said Councilman Stuart Adams.
Mayor Jerry Stevenson said the city's largest park, Commons Park, has no athletic facilities. He favors the west Layton complex to balance things out.
Besides the park property, Layton also has land for a new fire station in the same area.