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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-05-2007-7ai ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 5, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. '7 - q SUBJECT: Potential Artificial Soccer Surface Report DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Project Information Sheet Site Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Taft, 245-2660 PURPOSE: To provide a report to the Board to determine if there is continued interest in this project; and if so, to consider the next steps. BACKGROUND: Members of the Board may recall that in the late 90's, during the planning of Smith Middle School the Town of Carrboro, through the Mayor's office, formally requested Orange County's assistance in providing an additional field at this location for use by the community. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed, with Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS), Carrboro and Orange County as partners. Carrboro and Orange County each contributed $75,000 to the project. In 2005, Orange County provided an additional $133,561 in 2001 voter approved bond funding for the installation of athletic field lighting at the two fields. During discussions with soccer leaders last spring, the idea of installing artificial surfaces on a soccer field was discussed. The soccer leaders identified Smith Community Field as an ideal site. Interest by the Board members present led the Manager to direct staff to pursue the idea. The general consensus among field management professionals and in the player community is that artificial surfaces are excellent. These surfaces extend playing time and reduce operating costs. The products available have improved in the last 30 years, reducing injury concerns. Partners in the 2001 MOU for the Smith fields have agreed that the project would be beneficial (Carrboro and CHCCS). However neither party had discretionary funding to contribute to the project. The partners have agreed to MOU amendments to allow for additional community use of Field 3a (school field), with the specific details to be determined. a Orange County staff has met with Carrboro Planning and Development staff, and those discussions have been encouraging. Indications are that this project would be considered a "minor modification" to the existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the soccer fields, and therefore not subject to the 12 month or more process required for new applications. Carrboro staff and the town's engineer have stated that the project is likely to be viable contingent upon receipt of engineering drawings and water runoff quality studies. Two contractors have provided information and price estimates at $8-8.50 per square foot. The two-field area is approximately 201,450 square foot (one field equals roughly 100,725 square foot). The price for both fields together is approximately $1,624,400, or for one field - $856,000. Design, engineering and permitting fees and requirements are not included in this cost estimate. Each of the major independent soccer leagues have been invited to fact finding meetings and have been involved in the initial process for this potential project. Triangle United Soccer Association, Triangle Futbol Club and CHAC Soccer have each offered to contribute funds in support of this project. Planning and engineering for the project as well as the bid and contract approval process could be completed within six to nine months. The project would take three months from the notice to proceed until completion. The project would have to be completed during the off- season for CHCCS sports teams. Construction would occur preferably during the winter and possibly during summer months. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is currently no available funding dedicated to resurfacing the fields at Smith Middle School. However, should the Board agree that moving forward with this project is a higher priority than other currently funded Parks projects, staff could propose funding options that would allow the Smith project to move forward in lieu of an earlier start on other projects. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accept the report and provide further direction. 0 Potential Artificial Surfacing Project Smith Middle School and Community Soccer Fields INFORMATION SHEET • The two subject fields are on UNC property leased to CHCCS. • An MOU between CHCCS, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County stipulates, among other things: CHCCS is responsible for maintenance of both fields. Carrboro manages the playing schedule for the "community" field 3b, and CHCCS manages the schedule for field 3a. • Orange County installed athletic field lighting on both fields in 2005. • The lights have allowed extended play, but field conditions have deteriorated. • Soccer leaders, Town and County Board members expressed interestrn artificial surfaces for these fields. • The County Manager has directed staff to explore the feasibility of this project. • Both CHCCS and Carrboro would like to see the project proceed. • Neither have funds to contribute • Orange County has rio funding identified for this project • Amendments to the MOU would have to be made. • Initial meetings with Carrboro Planning have been positive with regard to permitting. • Soccer groups have proposed to contribute to the project. Available funds up to $600,000 have been offered. • Two contractors have provided information and price estimates at ~$8-8.50/sf. • The two- field area is about 201,450 sf (one field is 100,725 sf) • The price estimate for both fields together is approximately $1,624,400, or for one field - $856,000 • Most of the products, carry an 8-year warranty. • The estimated prices do not include design, engineering, permits or environmental studies of any kind. • The project would take three months from the notice to proceed until completion. • If the County were to approve this project, the earliest opportunity for construction to take place would likely be during the winter of 2008-2009. 0 iDTi'icATES ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ XISTING / ---_"__`_' ~ \ \ ,. PARKING ~ ~ LOT /, BASEBALLf50FTBALL s,; ' i._ P ACES F :LD PRC n-n ~ }, Doa.D ,l}.>l / / ~'~_ _ DUFFER~'b~ /\~ / m.,.~ BV mot' 3 . 1 C~///~~/// ~~~~ \ RDAD eU~\ J Y~.'~ / i _/ 1 ~ DATA D 2I FR~DD PLAN F _.-~."'IEASE . _.. /14; .. -~ ~ 1 10.00' ~/ ~t~. 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Carrboro, North Carolina 9t~g~ ~ ~°~~"'n .,:_, ,~ ~ iT ~ i2 Change County ReaeatiaT&Pa1F5 ~ •,O"rh t.aTU"c~ October 2, 207 Marab°ih Curt