April 26, 2023

Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD), in partnership with Chico Bocce Club, will break ground at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 4th, for a new Bocce Ball Complex in Community Park. Construction for this new, state-of-the-art complex that includes four artificial turf bocce courts is expected to be completed in fall 2023.

Melton Design Group was retained to provide bocce court design options in 2022, and at the February 2023 CARD board meeting, Billson Construction Company (BCC) was selected to install the new bocce project. The courts will include a covered facility for shade and rain protection, new lighting, drip landscaping, new plantings, and is a welcome addition to an already beautiful and well-utilized Community Park.

With a generous $27,450 donation from the Chico Bocce Club, the new complex will include significant amenities such as benches, bleachers, a decomposed granite picnic area, and a bike rack. Chico Bocce Club president Colette Roberts was extremely excited about the partnership with CARD, and the opportunity to bring a more sophisticated bocce complex to the Chico community.

“We want to thank CARD for their dedication to this project,” said Roberts. “This new complex will ensure that bocce can be played in all weather conditions, and also host large tournaments that will bring an entirely new group of players to our town and make Chico the Bocce Capital of Northern California!”

The Chico Bocce Club is a non-profit group of volunteers dedicated to promoting the sport of bocce through tournaments, leagues, events, and casual play at multiple public and private courts.

Chairman of the CARD Board of Directors, Michael McGinnis, was honored to be part of the continued investment in one of Chico’s oldest and most utilized community parks.

“As a Bocce enthusiast myself, I am very pleased that CARD is bringing this sports complex to Community Park,” said McGinnis. “It’s an activity that brings people together and spans all ages and skill levels.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at Community Park, at 1900 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway. CARD officials, the Chico Bocce Club, the Chico Chamber of Commerce, and the public are expected to take part in the groundbreaking ceremonies.

For more information, visit ChicoRec.com and follow CARD on Facebook and @ChicoRec on Instagram.

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About Chico Area Recreation and Park District

Founded in 1948, the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) is a California Special District focused on creating recreational opportunities that bring friends and families together to have fun and build lasting memories. CARD manages and cares for more than 12 community and neighborhood parks, four community centers, one swimming pool, the Chico Creek Nature Center, and other facilities. The PLAY Activity Guide highlights the numerous sports, classes, camps, special events, and more CARD offers. Learn more about CARD at www.ChicoRec.com.