OCEANSIDE — The city of Oceanside has renewed its joint use agreement with the Oceanside Unified School District, extending the arrangement for another year to allow for the shared use of stadiums, gyms, and fields in exchange for city facilities at no cost.
The City Council unanimously approved the renewal on May 21, setting the new joint-use agreement to run from June 1 to May 31, 2026, following the expiration of the current one-year deal.
Previously, the city and school district operated under a five-year joint use agreement that expired in 2021. After relying on the outdated agreement for several years, the two entities reached a new one-year deal last May, allowing city and outside recreation groups to use school facilities in return for the district’s access to city pools and event centers.
The most notable change at that time was the district opening its gyms and stadiums to third-party access through city-issued permits, eliminating facility rental and staff reimbursement charges.
With the renewed agreement, the district’s 115 acres of fields and open space help the city meet its goal of providing five acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents.
“Folks who don’t have one of our city parks close by have been able to enjoy school sites for passive use,” Gonzalez said.
Public access to school sites is allowed 30 minutes after school dismissal until sunset on weekdays, and from 7 a.m. to sunset on weekends and holidays.
While maintaining the core benefits of last year’s deal, the new agreement includes minor adjustments to enhance the program. The city will provide 725 hours of pool time at its aquatic centers, 145 hours at the Country Club Senior Center and El Corazon Event Center, and 12 additional hours at the Brooks Street Swim Center for the district’s Adult Transition Program.
Rather than paying the district $25,000 for extra field maintenance, the city is contributing a one-time $50,000 toward the construction of a new multipurpose field at Pablo Tac School of the Arts.
In return, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will continue permitting approximately 485 hours of third-party sports organization use at Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., Lincoln, Surf Side, and South Oceanside school sites during non-school hours, weekends, and holidays.
Gonzalez noted that groups like Pop Warner, which previously paid the district $5,000 to use space at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, now obtain permits through the city without fees.
Additionally, the city will continue to have approximately 850 hours of access to fields at El Camino High School and Oceanside High School, as well as about 550 hours in gyms at El Camino High, Oceanside High, and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School for city programs. Third-party groups must still apply directly to the district for permission to use these sites.
Last year, the city used 337.5 hours in school gyms, 142.5 hours on school fields, and issued at least 178 hours of permits.
Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce, who previously served on the Oceanside Unified School District board, called the agreement a “huge benefit” for both the city and the district.
“I’m just thrilled that we have a good, working relationship with each other,” Joyce said.
Joyce also asked whether additional space will be made available while Surfside Academy’s campus is under construction. Gonzalez responded that if capacity is reached on other fields, the city could explore using an alternative school site for third-party group permits.
Gonzalez noted that future agreements could include expanded access to school ballfields and additional opportunities for library events.
