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Parks and Recreation Commission Special Work Session Minutes Page 3 <br />August 14, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Paige said the distance between the rectangular fields at the PT Complex is based on industry <br />standards. They even added extra space due to a historical wetland line. Chair Anderson asked about <br />the usable space. Mr. Stremcha said it is about 25 acres. Mr. Paige said the plans also include a lot of <br />storm ponds. It’s a defendable best practice plan. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson asked for confirmation that phase one is the rectangular fields. Mr. Stremcha <br />confirmed this and explained the Project Phasing Potential plan. They are regulation soccer field size. <br />The next piece is the Hales Field project because the school has that in their 2028 plan. It would be <br />the east side of Oak Knoll. The left side would stay active during this process. There are a couple of <br />different versions of this plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Goodwin asked if the school district has confirmed that the Ivan Sand school is being <br />removed for sure. Mr. Stremcha confirmed that it is still part of their concept plan, but he does not <br />believe that it has ever gone to the school board. The school district will have a new superintendent <br />within the next six months. Commissioner Loidolt asked what financial investment the school district <br />would make. Mr. Stremcha said it would be sizable and similar to the Lions Park agreement with the <br />schools. Commissioner Loidolt asked if there is any official confirmation from the schools on the <br />investment. Mr. Stremcha said it is still in discussion. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson said that when he worked on a project with an Eagle Scout on Hales Field at Oak <br />Knoll the schools informed them the project, they did would be temporary due to the plans for future <br />changes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Niziolek asked if the Ivan Sands school would be demolished. Mr. Stremcha said it is <br />still in negotiation who would demo it, but the plan would be for it to be demoed. Commissioner <br />Niziolek asked Commissioner Loidolt what he thought about the plan if Ivan Sand wasn’t torn down. <br />Commissioner Loidolt said he would not want the fields there as they wouldn’t fit according to this <br />plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Stremcha said that because the projects aren’t going out for bidding, they could still change things <br />over the next six years as details change. Chair Anderson asked what page the alternate concept was <br />on. Mr. Stremcha explained that on page two is the alternate plan with different parking options on <br />the outside but that creates ADA accessibility concerns. Chair Anderson shared concerns about <br />parking since he believes no one parks in the parking lot right now, how would things change with <br />these new concepts? Mr. Paige said that with the new concept, the foul ball spray has been <br />considered. He said this layout is similar to Castle Field in Anoka. <br /> <br />The foul spray line is commensurate with the level of play at each of the fields in these designs. Mr. <br />Paige shared that he has coached many games at these fields, so he is aware of the current parking <br />issues and foul ball concerns. He also explained his reasoning for the different spaces between the <br />fields at Oak Knoll. He said that netting design could be expanded to catch foul balls and there is <br />enough breathing room between the fields to still be functional. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson asked Mr. Ellingworth and Mr. Loidolt how tournaments would be used on these <br />fields. Both agreed that they could use this complex for the ice breaker tournament as well as the <br />others. The PT Complex is used for the older kids and DAAC is for younger kids. DAAC is <br />dangerous for foul balls and one field has water build up. Commissioner Loidolt said that he is <br />Page 6 of 84