For decades, the lack of athletic fields at Point Loma High School (PLHS) has hindered students and athletes of all ages, as well as community groups seeking evening or weekend playing surfaces. Futile attempts to overlap practice times and share available space has particularly paralyzed the school’s ability to field freshman girls’ teams and develop the athletic abilities of younger area students. It’s not just sports that suffer, however, because the Reserve Officer Training Corps and band students place demands on the limited fields as well. “We have many PLHS teams competing for precious practice space and times while other teams can’t even be formed,” said PLHS athletic director John Murphy. “This situation is preventing hundreds of students from participating in the healthy exercise and fitness brought about by interscholastic competition.” A promising solution appears to be formulating, however.  The plan, now being developed by local parents and school leaders, involves a massive underutilized field on the grounds of nearby Correia Middle School. Leaders envision vastly-improved facilities benefiting future generations of students and the community by expanding available space. Ironically, the idea may help replace the recently lost women’s softball field at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) as well. “It’s great to see such a lot of great energy,” PLHS parent Andrea Justus said of the planning sessions. Her daughter played freshman volleyball, the only freshman sport offered to Lady Pointers. “We could offer so many more opportunities to freshman girls at PLHS and Correia students who may wish to try different sports,” she said. On the drawing board are baseball, softball, lacrosse and multi-purpose fields, all utilizing artificial turf and movable fencing. A running track is planned, as well as the possibility of lighting for night play. Bleachers, a field house and permanent restroom facilities could increase the public appeal of the project, according to backers. Under the concept, the facilities would be used on school days by students at Correia Middle School, with PLHS and community groups having access after dismissal. David Wells Field, home of the Pointers varsity baseball team, is currently located on the grounds of Dana Middle School and would remain there. The concept has received enthusiastic backing from leaders at both Dana and Correia middle schools. As a bonus, planners believe the project could be built using Proposition S funds already allocated for improvements at Point Loma Cluster schools. The San Diego Unified School District’s board of education has agreed to give area schools additional discretion in fund use. The cost estimates for the improvements range from $3 million to $3.5 million. Proponents are hoping community donors will step forward, allowing inclusion of premium features and equipment. The proposal comes at a time when an outreach to involve PLHS parents in the athletic program has resulted in the formation of a large number of booster clubs. Currently, 19 sports teams have filed paperwork with the newly formed Pointer Association, a non-profit 503(c) corporation, according to coordinator Eleanor Snyder. “We are thrilled to see our parents organizing to support their kids,” Murphy said. Murphy and others envision the Correia complex giving PLHS the ability to offer more sports and new opportunities for community programs, providing healthy activities for all ages. The south end of the expansive field currently serves as home of the PLHS Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned freshman baseball team. That field would remain and be upgraded under the plan. Representatives of PLNU have also indicated interest in the project as they explore possibilities for a new women’s softball field. Their campus field was recently taken back by the city as part of the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park plan. As a result, the university was forced to end several other sports in keeping with gender opportunity balances mandated by federal Title IX guidelines. PLNU officials emphasize that discussions are in a very early phase while they explore various options.