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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 12 12 Regular 303 ITEM 303 Consent Informational Public Hearing Regular X December 12, 2005 . Regular Meeting ~ CC? Mgr. / Dept. Authorization REQUEST: The Parks and Recreation Department is requesting that the City Commission consider Two (2) approaches in regards to youth league games being played on the Central Winds Park Expansion Property. The purpose item is to receive direction on these approaches to establish a policy on the use of the Central Winds Park Expansion. PURPOSE: CONSIDERATIONS: . On September 4, 2001, the Citizens of Winter Springs approved a referendum to increase the mileage to acquire and develop the Central Winds Expansion Property for Soccer, Football, Baseball, and other recreational facilities. . The purpose of this expansion was to provide badly needed practice area for athletic activities in the city, to reduce the intensity of practice activities in neighborhood parks, and to relocate older youth and adult practice activities from neighborhood parks to Central Winds Park reducing conflicts between neighbors and park activity. It was also intended to provide unscheduled free play area for the residents of the city. . On October 29, 2001, The City Commission established the Central Winds Park Expansion Ad Hoc Advisory Committee and accepted their report. The report addressed the fields as practice fields but also addressed bleachers, team benches, water fountains, dugouts and batting cages. Also "The Committee recognizes the necessity for expanding the number of practice and games fields for use by organizations such as Little League and others for practice, game, and tournament opportunities". . On August 1, 2005 the Central Winds Park Expansion fields began being used for youth practices. An average of 410 youth practice on these fields Monday thru Thursday and Saturday and Sunday. (Friday fields closed for maintenance). . In September, 2005 Babe Ruth Leagues requested use of the practice area for game play on Saturday mornings on a trail basis. . Recreation staff review this request and found the following: A. Parks and Recreation Staff observed that minimal practice occurred on Saturday due to Saturday being the primary youth sports game day. B. Due to the growth of the Babe Ruth Organization of about 100 children per year which occurred primarily in the under 12 age group they have been playing games as late as 10:00 P.M. at night and also on softball fields, with a portable mound. C. Due to the growth of the Babe Ruth with no corresponding growth in the number of game fields, for the under 12 year old age group there is the need for an additional game field. Staff began looking at several options including the shifting of adult and older youth to future new facilities at Soldiers Creek Park or Jetta Point Park. . Based upon this analysis staff approved the request and game play began on the practice area on Saturday, September 10,2005 and ended on Saturday, November 19,2005. WS Babe Ruth 2002 2003 2004 2005 Division I Ages # of Teams # of Teams # of Teams # of Teams Rookies(7 &8) 8 9 10 10 Minors(9&10) 9 9 12 12 Majors(11 & 12) 8 10 10 12 GROWTH IN NUMBER OF TEAMS There are 22-24 teams that all play on one field. (46'/60') on Saturdays. WS Babe Ruth 2002 2003 2004 2005 Division I Ages # of Players # of Players # of Players # of Players Rookies(7&8) 96 108 120 120 Minors(9&10) 108 108 144 144 Majors(11 & 12) 96 120 120 144 GROWTH IN NUMBER OF PLAYERS There are 120-144 Players that all play on one field. (46'/60') on Saturdays. . Due to the intended use of the expansion area for practice it was not constructed to include support facilities for game play. . Because games were played on the expansion fields, staff received complaints regarding the distance to the restroom, no water fountain, fences, shade, benches, etc. The distance to the existing park restrooms is 100 yards to about 400 yards. Staff will be installing an opening in the fence that separates the expansion from the main park to provide a shorter route to the main restrooms. Restrooms along with other improvements are planned in phase II of the development of the site. This is scheduled to occur in two (2) years. . Two approaches to establishing a policy on the usage of the expansion property are as follows: Approach #1 Direct staff to come back with a formal commission resolution establishing a usage policy for the expansion area similar to the current policy for Central Winds Park prohibiting any game play on the expansion area. Approach # 2 Direct staff to come back with a formal commission resolution establishing a usage policy for the expansion area similar to the current policy for Central Winds Park restricting the usage of the expansion property to youth and adult practices except on Saturday, during the season when the fields are available for games (limited game usage). This is to be a temporary measure until additional game fields will be available at Soldiers Creek Park or Jetta Point. FUNDING: Approach # 1 will not require any additional budget amending. Approach #2 would increase the cost for temporary support facilities in the neighborhood of $ 10,000. It is recommended that the leagues pay these additional expenses. RECOMMENDA TIONS: The Parks and Recreation Department is recommending the second approach. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: Come back with a Commission Resolution for adoption in January, 2006. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment #1 Winter Springs Youth Sports Participants COMMISSION ACTION: ATTACHMENT #1 WS Babe Ruth 2002 2003 2004 2005 Division I Ages # of Teams # of Teams # of Teams # of Teams Rookies(7&8) 8 9 10 10 Minors(9&10) 9 9 12 12 Majors(11 & 12) 8 10 10 12 GROWTH IN NUMBER OF TEAMS There are 22-24 teams that all play on one field. (46'/60') on Saturdays. WS Babe Ruth 2002 2003 2004 2005 Division I Ages # of Players # of Players # of Players # of Players Rookies(7&8) 96 108 120 120 Minors(9&10) 108 108 144 144 Majors(11 & 12) 96 120 120 144 GROWTH IN NUMBER OF PLAYERS There are 120-144 Players that all play on one field. (46'/60') on Saturdays.