SLT, LTCC, LTUSD working to build ball fields
The proposed fields are in green and brown. The existing community field is to the left in grey. Rendering/Design Workshop
By Kathryn Reed
By the end of 2016, there could be two new ball fields in South Lake Tahoe – and not a dime of additional taxpayer money is needed to build them.
Designs are such that the fields could be used for football, soccer or baseball – just not all at the same time.
When Measure S was passed in 2000 it said four community ball fields would be built. Only one ever was. In large part this had to do with the recreation measure not generating enough money and the ice rink costing more than originally planned. When it was revised to be Measure R, it said three ball fields.
The Measure S field is next to Lake Tahoe Community College, with the property being owned by the college and city. The new fields would go to the right of that field if looking at the area from the community ball field parking lot.
The project is a joint endeavor between the city, college and Lake Tahoe Unified School District. To do so the three are creating a recreation joint powers authority. This proposal is on the July 7 City Council agenda. The college board should vote on it in August. The school district time line and funding source are unknown because Superintendent Jim Tarwater did not return a phone call.
Once the respective boards approve the JPA, permits will be sought with the goal of construction starting in May. The exact work plan will be devised to have the least impact on the current field users.
The city on Tuesday could allocate $1.2 million to the fields project. This money is from excess budgeted hotel taxes. Through April, the transient occupancy tax is up 19 percent. For the fiscal year, an excess of $2 million is expected to be collected.
“All of our community surveys say collect taxes from tourists and spend it on things that are valuable to residents. We are delivering on that without asking for new taxes,” City Manager Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News.
The partnership will in effect deliver what Measure S/R intended to do. It will also help resolve scheduling problems.
The new fields are expected to be grass. One reason for grass is to not have to contend with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency coverage stipulations.
Kerry also said artificial turf is expensive, there are potential negative health side effects, and that it’s hard to keep clean.
“The college believes this is a way to bring multiple agencies and funding to facilitate the recreational fields that were promised years ago under Measures R and S. The college realizes that our soccer program has strained the use on the community field, and by collaborating, the community, LTUSD, and the college are all getting more recreational space,” LTCC President Kindred Murillo told Lake Tahoe News. “Our next steps will be to bring easement documents to the board for dedication of the 5.62 acres to the new joint powers authority, draft an agreement for a new joint powers authority that includes appropriate language so the college can invest bond funding in the community field as we promised in Measure F. This is anticipated to start in early August.”
Measure F, which was approved by voters last fall, includes funds for recreation facilities. A caveat is that money cannot be spent on facilities the college does not own. The college has $1.1 million for the fields, some of which will be spent on new artificial turf at the current field. There is $300,000 in Measure S/R money that is also dedicated for turf replacement.
Besides the turf, bleachers are also expected to be built. Murillo said artificial turf is less expensive to maintain and that it is safer for soccer conference play.
Other field improvements are also in the works.
“We are still looking at investing bond funds on the field at South Tahoe Middle School. Under the stipulations of bond funding we must have irrevocable rights to use the field for the length of the bond funded improvements,” Murillo said. “The rationale is that it will expand use of the field for the community, LTUSD, and our soccer program. We are working on a shared facilities agreement between LTUSD and LTCC which will leverage the taxpayers dollars by not duplicating facilities.”
After Tuesday’s meeting, the city and unified district will then work on a plan that is likely to come before the council in August. This has to do with amending the agreement between the entities so the school district is paying for the lights and water for its fields. Currently, the city is doing so.
“The end result will be more efficient management and operation of these fields,” Kerry said.
A side note, this will be last year SnowGlobe, the three-day outdoor concert, will be at the current field even though this is only the second year of the three-year contract. It’s possible the festival could be on the new grass fields. That type of hardscape is more conducive to such activities. The city is also considering 30 acres near the airport for outdoor events.
I am impressed that multi community resources (city, LTCC, & LTSD) are finally being used to efficiently & effectively maximize taxpayer $ to get maximum recreational benefit! Congrats for working smarter for everyone’s benefit. This was suggested 20+ years ago as an alternative to the Golden Bear Project! Shows sound leadership & fiscal responsibility! Hooray!
Looks like a tournament facility.
I wonder if adding the tennis courts at the high school to the joint powers authority would be practical.
I hope they put in real grass. With proper care it lasts a long time. Sure it wastes water using well water but at least it’s real grass not toxic plasticrap. OLS
I hope someone has the good sense to say “no” and mean it when some politician/local business interest (same church, same pew) suggests that the fields are going to waste at night so “why don’t we put on a concert there.”
The collage well is not being used because of water quality issues, but could be used for the grass fields.
I really like the turf fields. They are easy on the joints and provide a great experience when doing any sport although they are not fun to slide on. There are no water supply demands, chemical demands, and contrary to what many think are less maintenance. They are not a water quality threat or an issue with Lake Tahoe clarity. The study below showed Zinc to be the only pollutant to pose any water quality risk. It sounds like the health effects of turf are not well understood though. Aren’t there alternatives to crumb rubber? That would shut down the whole health debate. I am interested to see any research that shows turf to be a problem with cancer in youth athletes. As for coverage, I can’t begin to understand that argument? Why is it considered coverage and regular grass is not?
http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/artificialturf/dep_artificial_turf_report.pdf
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/science-may-get-sidelined-artificial-turf-debate
Why is it considered coverage and regular grass is not?
That’s the $64,000 question Dub that no one seems to want to give an answer to it.
Rumor has it that a pitcher of water was poured through the stuff to prove it’s perc abilities before said board to no avail.
I’d love to see the actual science and here their answer.
Dan Says, I believe the requirements for it not to count as coverage is that it has to both allow water to infiltrate into the ground and support nutrient uptake. That is vegatation has to be able to grow on it.
Dan Says, I believe the requirements for it not to count as coverage is that it has to both allow water to infiltrate into the ground and support nutrient uptake. That is vegetation has to be able to grow on it.
I was involved in the Measure S Project. It is ironic that when we were planning the fields near the College, they absolutely refused to allow anyone to use their parking. That is why there is a parking lot at the current field. Further, the extra cost of the parking lot decreased the scope of the fields. Now that they use the field, they are all keen to be “partners”. Funny how things change.
It is unfortunate that the turf is still disallowed by the TRPA. It can be made of recycled materials and is completely porous, even more so than natural grass. An incredible amount of water would be saved using it. It is so sad that ideology often trumps science in our society. The field was never designed for concerts and incredibly high density use. Once again, misuse by idealistic forces destroyed another resource and the taxpayers pay and pay and pay without consequence to those who make the bad decisions.