The City of Del Mar is pleased to announce that the purchase of the Shores property from the Del Mar Union School District officially closed on May 22, 2008. The 5.3 acre property, located at Ninth Street and Stratford Court off of Camino del Mar, includes some of the last remaining open space in the community. The property is currently occupied by the Del Mar Union School District administrative offices; the non-profit Winston School, playground and public playing fields used by generations of Little Leaguers and other sports teams.
The purchase is made possible through the support of many committed fundraisers including area residents organized as the Campaign for Del Mar Shores and supporters of the Winston Schools mission of providing a quality college preparatory education to bright children with learning differences. The fundraisers successfully garnered over $5 million in less than a year to ensure the success of this acquisition.
The City appreciates the continuing efforts of the fundraisers to gather the remaining $3.5 million and associated costs needed for the final payment of the property. "We are very pleased that the long negotiation has culminated in acquiring this asset for the community and that we now have the Shores property under the Citys control for the benefit of the public," said Deputy Mayor Crystal Crawford.
"On behalf of the entire city council, Crystal and I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Del Mar Union School District Board and staff who will continue to occupy the property for up to three years. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Winston School whose students will continue to make this property their home. The City Council extends our deepest thanks to all of those who have contributed their time and money to ensure that this property is secured for the benefit of our community now and in the future," said Councilmember Carl Hilliard.