PRMIN 3-14-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 4 March 13, 2024 priced at a contractor level and includes a contingency. He also explained that he wanted to include the plans with all the bells and whistles because it is easier to remove items than add them later. He then highlighted Oak Knoll, with a goal of shifting from a multisport facility to primarily a baseball focused facility. It would have the ability to have players of all ages to play at the same time as well as a miracle field for kids of all abilities. The new layout would also pull some of the traffic off Proctor Road, easing safety concerns at the current field. It would remove Ivan Sand Community School and the Education Technology Center. This is part of a long-term planning partnership with the school district. Mr. Clark then reviewed the plans for Plants and Things Recreation Complex. A major goal would be to create dedicated homes for each sport. He reviewed costs for the northwest section, softball, and south section (rectangles). Suggested phasing would include the rectangle fields at PT Complex, then the softball fields, then baseball at Oak Knoll Athletic Complex and then removal of the softball fields at DAAC. A key point of the design is to be able to host larger tournaments in one location. Chair Anderson said he would like to hear from the other Commissioners. Commissioner Brown said that he was involved with the initial study. He would like to see a clearer comparison of how many fields we have now and how many we would have after this. Mr. Clark also confirmed that the fields would have lights. Commissioner Brown pointed out that there is not anywhere for kids to warm up and with games stacked on top of each other it is important to have that space. Commissioner Brown would like to see the trail next to the fields as close as possible for easier access to the fields directly from the parking lot. He also said he would like to see things like trails, picnic tables, and elevation changes etc. for the spectators vs. just trees on the plans. Commissioner Loidolt shared that designing the fields to maximize the space is good, but he is concerned about the angle of the one of the fields on Hales field due to the sunset. He likes the idea of a miracle field for kids with accessibility issues. He is concerned that the plan for Oak Knoll might be too busy and that there may need to be buffers to help reduce sound coming from the train tracks. He thinks that the plan needs to be completed sooner than 10 to 15 years. Other things to consider are bathrooms at DAAC instead of portable bathrooms. He said he thinks the plan needs tweaking. Commission Niziolek said he thinks that the plan should be discussed in a work session due to the amount of money and work that needs to be done right. Chair Anderson has concerns about where the money will come from for the project and thinks it may need to be trimmed down and the Commission will have to do a lot more with a lot less than was presented. Chair Anderson said he cannot approve the plan it as stands. He said it is a great concept but needs more discussion. Looking at the concept for baseball at Oak Knoll right now all the fields are set by parking lots so that foul balls would be hitting cars. Chair Anderson gathered a consensus from the Commission to move this to a future workshop and not act tonight.