Due to expansion of city parks and safety concerns, the Dolores Ball Fields south of Conquistador Golf Course have been decommissioned and repurposed for golf.
Cortez Parks and Recreation Director Dean Palmquist said that the process required to repurpose the area, which included a softball field and soccer field, began in 2009 amid safety concerns created by Conquistador’s driving range.
“With all of the technology upgrades on golf clubs as the years have gone on, balls kept going further and further south towards the ball fields,” said Palmquist. “Those balls were becoming a safety issue.”
Palmquist went on to add that in addition to safety issues, the expansion of baseball, soccer and softball fields at Parque de Vida rendered the 32-year-old Dolores Ball Fields unnecessary.
Six youth soccer fields currently dot Parque de Vida, as well as a high school baseball field and softball field. Several youth baseball fields, including one with newly built dugouts and lights have also been added to Parque de Vida.
“I think (the City of Cortez) did a good job of working with the (youth sports programs) and making sure that they had what they needed,” said Palmquist. “We waited until we had more infrastructure to decommission the fields.”
As for the future of the Dolores Ball Fields, Palmquist said that they will be used for junior golf camps and other golf-related events. Restrooms at the facility will remain open and a bunker and practice green could eventually be added.
Conquistador’s driving range will also be expanded to the west, thus creating more room for golfers.
Palmquist said that safety will no longer be a concern because golf course staff will be able to monitor use of the driving range when youth golf clinics are in session.
“What it came down to is that we had a conflict between two recreational purposes adjacent to one another,” said the Parks and Recreation Director. “My hope is that now, both purposes can be safely served.”