Scott Randolf of DDI Engineering has been studying the comparison and presented his findings in attempt to furnish the council with a better look at what would be the most cost effective and user friendly for the two soccer fields located at the city’s newest park.
Discussion about the decision to turf the fields in grass or a synthetic material has been ongoing for months and has caused – along with bad weather – delay in the park’s progress.
Tuesday’s meeting, like many others where the decision has been discussed, did not yield any movement on the issue. There was a slide show and some questions from council members but no definite distinction on what the fields would hold came about.
According to the numbers submitted by Randolf, the cost for natural grass comes in at $304,479 to place on two soccer fields versus artificial turf at $467,764. That is a $163,285 difference between the two.
However, mayor Gene Zick, who has opted for turf since the park project received funding almost three years ago, says cost associated with annual maintenance between the two would eventually mount up.
Reported maintenance over a ten year period for natural grass would be $79,678 where as turf would be $61,423 – a difference of $18,255. That breaks down to a little over $6,000 annually for turf and $8,000 for grass. There will also be equipment costs for both.
“We have the funds right now to put the turf or grass on the fields but it’s the maintenance costs I most concerned about because those are costs that will continue long after the funding for the park is gone and that will be money taken from taxpayers,” said Zick.
The city received the $1.5 million used to build the new park from the state’s Energy & Environmental Protection Cabinet (EEPC) in 2007 from a settlement between the state and Rockwell International, a long-serving industry in Russellville that released Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) into the environment. The money given to the city by the EEPC is earmarked to build the new park which is located on Armory Drive.
Mayor Zick asked Parks Director Cathy Maroney to speak at the meeting about usage of the new park.
Maroney stated the park will be used almost year round. There are enough programs offered through Russellville’s Parks and Recreation Department such as youth soccer and Junior Pro football to utilize the new park in several ways.
Also, there are many ways to draw revenue from the new park, said Maroney which include concessions, field reservations and entrance fees during tournaments.
Maroney said she has been applying for grants including one from the Carpenter Foundation and Tony Hawk Foundation to complete the skate park that is planned as well as for all other amenities such as bleachers, trash cans and goals.
Bleachers don’t seem to be a concern at this time; however, because most people don’t use bleachers during soccer games but instead use their own chairs, said Zick.
Councilman Lanny McPherson said he appreciated the work done on getting the costs together.
“For the most part this seems to be a fair assessment of the costs,” said McPherson, who did say he thought the maintenance costs were a little high. “It’s just a question of if we want to pay now or pay later.”
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