SPORTS PARK MAY RISE ABOVE CLOSED DUMP.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

ARLETA - City officials want to build a $10 million, 20-acre sports complex - complete with baseball diamonds, soccer fields and play areas - atop the old Sheldon-Arleta Landfill.

The Recreation and Parks Department is in the early planning phases and has applied for $3 million in state park bond funds to start the $10 million park. However, some folks in the community worry about chemical contamination from the old landfill.

Neighbors and officials at Francis Polytechnic High School, across the street from the dump, have long expressed concerns about toxins and methane seeping from the site.

``We need due diligence when it comes to projects like this,'' said Jose Bonilla, president of the Arleta Chamber of Commerce. ``We want to make sure it's safe for everyone. If it's safe, let's built it.''

Parks officials said they consider the old landfill a clean site and would expect to install a new methane-recovery system to collect gas from the decomposing trash.

``We don't have any indiction that there's toxic contaminants,'' said Bill Lukehart, superintendent of planning and construction.

However, he said, city analysts will conduct either an extensive or limited environmental review before groundbreaking, depending on community input during public meetings.

City representatives are hosting a community meeting today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Vena Avenue Elementary School, 9377 Vena Ave., Arleta.

Kerry Cavanaugh, [phone]

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com