Transcript Sparta Soccer Club - Sparta

Sparta Soccer Club
Field Proposal
September 2008
Athletics and recreation are an essential component of our Sparta lifestyle. Name a sport or activity
and it is likely that somewhere in Sparta a lot of people are participating. Well, maybe not surfing –
but most everything else! And that’s why we are here tonight to discuss our proposal for steps that
should be taken to add to the athletic field inventory in Sparta. As we are all too aware Sparta has
grown tremendously and while we may be approaching “build-out”, we are not there yet. Homes
are being built, schools are getting bigger but our athletic and recreational facilities have not kept
up with the growth. In fact with the changes at the High School and the loss of the lease of White
Lake the net field inventory gain is in the negative. A first step has been taken in the construction
of “Junior” fields for soccer at New White Lake but at this point, it is only a first step. There is a
need for a comprehensive plan that will address Sparta’s long-term needs.
Sports organizations in town have experienced the same growth as the town. This is true for sports
that have been around for many years as well sports that are relatively new to Sparta. All are in
need of more game fields and more practice areas. Sparta Soccer believes that every sport is
important so long as one child wants to participate. We believe that all sports are an integral part
of the development of a child. Whether at a recreational or more competitive travel level, we don’t
think it matters – participation alone teaches many life lessons and that opportunity should be
available to all. The difficulty is that with not enough facilities all sports organizations may need to
limit the number of programs and the number of children that participate. Such a situation is
unacceptable for a town like Sparta. One of the reasons many of us choose to live here is all the
recreational opportunities available. It is imperative that we work together to find a way to ensure
that Sparta continues to make available superior sports and recreational facilities for every Sparta
child and adult.
Tonight we hope to outline the possibilities and inspire the Town Council to determine the optimal plan
and then begin the necessary implementation.
Recognizing the problem
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Recognizing that Sparta has grown in population as well as the number of children
participating in not only our soccer programs but in all sports programs in Sparta; we
can agree there is a need to increase the number of sports fields in Sparta.
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Recognizing that today’s society depends on public facilities for organized sports /
activities for our children we can agree there is a real need for more sports /
recreation facilities in Sparta
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Recognizing that Sparta children typically grow up to be responsible, healthy,
successful citizens who give back to their town, schools, state and country we can
agree that we have a responsibility to provide an environment that continues to
produce that type of child.
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We can also agree that better facilities, better programs, “better children” all
contribute to better property values – but that’s really not the point – Children don’t
care about property values – they care about having things to do, places to go,
having friends, having adults to help and provide for them – all the things that keep
children from doing the things we don’t want them to do.
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We can agree that in a town like Sparta we should make every effort to provide the
facilities that allow all Sports/ Recreation groups the possibility to offer their program
to every interested child.
Some Facts about Sparta Soccer Club
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Formed in the Early 1970’s
Offers programs to boys and girls 4-19
years old
Offers In-Town (averaging 600 players
per season) and Travel (approximately
350-400 players per year)
While players “tryout” for travel teams,
most who tryout are offered a spot on
a team as we offer “developmental”
teams or positions on “town” teams.
No player is ever turned away from an
In-Town team
SSC is operated totally by volunteers
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SSC supports Sparta HS teams, we
offer scholarships to graduating
Seniors and fund the seniors, coaches
and guests at their end of season
dinner
SSC consistently has 1st place winners
in top Flights of the Morris County
Youth Soccer Association (MCYSA)
(MCYSA) belongs to the New Jersey
Youth Soccer Association (NJYSA)
which belongs to the United States
Soccer Association (USSA) belonging
to FIFA the International Soccer
Association
Current Soccer Fields Available:
Station Park:
•Station 1: full–sized Soccer – can be formatted to small-sized
•Station 1B: Lit full–sized Soccer – can be formatted to small-sized
•Station 2 : full–sized Soccer – can be formatted to 1 or 2 small-sized
•Station 3: Lit full–sized Soccer – can be formatted to 1 small-sized
•Station 4: Lit full–sized Soccer – can be formatted to 1 small-sized
Current White Lake :
Spring 08: Three Junior sized fields (shared facility with Lacrosse) Ideally Soccer
needs 4-5 small fields to efficiently schedule Junior programs
Fall 08: 4 small fields
Note: Current Regulation minimum dimensions for soccer fields
Full-sized = 100 by 50 yards
Small-sized = 60 by 40 yards
Junior = 50 by 30 yards
*For the purpose of this presentation fields suitable for the use of sports played on a rectangle of “grass” are included:
Such as Soccer, Football, Lacrosse and Field Hockey. Fields used primarily for sports such as baseball or softball are not considered
Typical Usage per season, (fall or spring by SSC) for the
current Soccer fields
Station Park
Current White Lake
Travel:
Town League (averages 600 children per
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24 teams ( app. 400 children )
120 home games per season (5 home
games per team)
480 Travel team practices per season for (2
per week for 10 weeks)
Town League (Recreation )
18 teams (app.225 children)
90 games (8 games per season each team)
144 practices (1 per week for 8 weeks)
season)
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Division 6 (1st & 2nd grade)
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Division 7
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16 Teams (app 175 children)
64 games (8 per week)
64 practices
4 weeks of “Division Training)
using all fields for all teams w/
professional trainer
10 Teams – 80 sessions (app.
100)
Pre-K
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14 teams – 112 sessions
(app.120)
“Soccer” Field Use by other Sports:
Note: this information is according to our knowledge, although we contacted
other organizations including Lacrosse and football, we have not received any
information from them.
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During the spring soccer shares the use of White Lake with
Lacrosse. In spring 09 Lacrosse will also have Station 1B. Soccer
although having more teams (addition of HS age teams) in the
spring will lose the use of this field.
Sparta High School uses soccer fields at Station during the fall for
practice and games (full schedule is not yet available) This may only
be while construction is ongoing; however no plans have yet been
made public for replacement of lost fields and the High School’s
growing needs
Adult soccer teams, (Men’s over 40, Men’s over 21 and Women’s
over 30) use fields at Station for practice and games (requiring lit
fields for their week night games / practices (fall spring and summer)
Problems with Shared use of Existing Grass Fields
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Different sized fields required for different sports
Different “lining” of fields required
Soccer Goals (must be staked or permanently placed on grass
fields; league and state rule)
Different placement of goals on fields
Not usable all season, wet weather, etc
Different “wear” of fields (potential for injury)
If fields were scheduled for use by multiple sports in one season,
increased set-up time for Parks Dept. (causing increased cost)
Fields currently get minimal “rest” (non-use) time for maintenance
now – any increased use reduces that further
Possibilities for Shared use of Multi-purpose Turf
(Artificial) Fields
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Turf Fields can be multi–lined for several sports, (3 easily)
Soccer Goals can be anchored w/sand bags, (league & state rule)
Goals can be easily moved (Football may require permanent
placement)
Turf Fields w/ proper maintenance are not subject to same weather,
limitations, etc.
Multiple sports can be scheduled during the same season (requires
cooperation of organizations and Parks & Recreation Dept.)
Less maintenance hours/ cost – no mowing , fertilizing, lining, etc
Turf Fields don’t need “rest” (non-use) time for maintenance
Benefits multiply if Turf Fields are lit (without lights a lot of potential
use-time is lost)
Possible Solutions:
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SSC has met with Mr. Underhill and with Mrs. Mohr. We have sought the personal opinions of
Town Council members. We have sought the input and support of our membership
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We have sought the input and support of other sport organizations in town. While at this time we
have no formal commitment from any organization, there is guarded interest; different sports seem
to have different ideas of what will be happening in the future in Sparta so the lack of a confirmed
plan seems to cause hesitation. SSC believes that our request can only benefit all other sports as
well as soccer. SSC will continue to make every effort to work cooperatively with other sports in
Sparta
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In our meetings and discussions we have observed that different people have different ideas
about what is the best solution to our field needs. We will outline some of the concepts we have
heard and outline the advantages and disadvantages as we see them in an effort to facilitate the
best decision
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It should be noted that we do believe that any solution should include at least one artificial turf
field. Our children play on them in other towns without ever having the opportunity to practice on
them. It is a disadvantage and this refers not only to our soccer players but also to Sparta lacrosse
and football players, in our youth programs as well as our High School programs.
Idea
Advantage(s)
Disadvantage(s)
Artificial Turf Field(s) at New White
Lake
Fastest construction time
Easily shared by multiple sports in the same
season (can be built large enough for every
sport)
Lowest maintenance time / cost
Most expensive option
Also needs lights to maximize use
Location is in remote section of town –
Soccer has no issue with this but has heard
concern from others
Grass Field (s) at New White Lake
Least expensive (especially if seeded)
Quick availability if sod is planted
Could be used specifically as practice space
Adds more man hours for maintenance /
equipment
New Artificial Turf Field at Station
Park
(adjacent to Field 1B)
Same advantages listed for Art. Turf or grass
at White Lake plus:
Space available – within reach of electricity /
Adds to the inventory at Station Park
Can also be used easily by HS
Same disadvantages as turf at White Lake
with the exception that it is located in the
center of Sparta and easily accessible by all.
May cause some concern by its location
closer to ground wells
Also a large retaining wall may be required
Turf 1B at Station Park
May be the least expensive option for artificial
turf as less grading / prep work will be
required, then all the other Art. Turf
advantages apply except size
Also easily shared by the HS
Does not add to the Field inventory at all. All
programs still need more space than can be
solved by turfing an existing field.
Cannot fit a regulation size football field,
which limits sharing potential
Light Fields 1 and 2 at Station Park
Increased use of the fields and again allows
for easier maintenance rest – rotation.
Fewer fields need for each program as
events can be scheduled after dark
Alone this does not solve all problems – as
we would still not have a facility that is easily
shared by all sports.
Does not add to overall inventory and we
would still not have a an artificial turf field in
the inventory.
Complete Road around Station Park
SAFETY! * SAFETY! * SAFETY!
If you have ever been in Station Park on a
Saturday or Sunday or almost any evening –
this is obvious. It is only a matter of time
before some child darts out in front of a car…
Really can’t see any – maybe the cost to
finish the road but having a safe, more easily
navigated park would be worth it. Some more
parking would be good too!
Sparta Soccer Club’s recommendation:
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SSC asks that Council decide on a “strategy” for athletic field development and take
immediate steps to begin implementation
We recognize that a first step has been taken in the construction of an area for
Junior fields at “New White Lake”, however that area only replaces the fields Sparta
lost the future use of at “Old White Lake”
We believe the best plan will include at least one Multi-purpose Artificial Turf Field,
will add to the inventory of grass fields and will eventually light all fields, but at least
light a new artificial turf field and Station fields 1 & 2 now, and complete the road
around Station Park (with one way traffic).
SSC is ready now to commit to donating $50,000. towards a plan that will add such
fields to Sparta’s inventory for the benefit of all Sparta youth. Furthermore Soccer is
ready to commit the additional sum of $10,000. per year for the next five years
towards the cost.
We also believe that once a confirmed plan is approved by the Town Council, we can
pursue additional funding towards specific projects. (This may involve finding
appropriate ways to display donor/sponsor information (plaques / signs, etc)
Regardless of the sports facilities constructed at New White Lake we ask that Sparta moves
forward now with a decision for a plan that also includes development of the park aspects of
New White Lake. The plans for the facility include many things besides sports fields and we
encourage full development of the facility for everyone’s use as Station Park is now used by
residents for more than sports.
We also believe the development of more fields at Station Park, especially more lights and
an artificial Turf field will allow for more shared use by Sparta High School (which has also
lost fields) and even provides the opportunity for some funding from the Board of Education
for projects at Station Park.
We believe the time to act is now, we also ask to be included in the decision making process
of size, type of turf, etc., so that the best possible facilities can be constructed. As we have
learned in the past it is necessary to be very specific in order to avoid construction mistakes.
We ask that the Town Council designate funding for this project and approve moving forward
now for the benefit of many Sparta residents
Respectfully submitted,
Sparta Soccer Club Board of Directors, representing our membership
President, Shauna Stanley
VP Travel, Aldo Altieri
VP Town, League Gil Gibbs
Secretary, Jane Rouilli
Treasurer, Tracey Massey
Travel Registrar, Dayle Schwesinger
Town League Registrar, Pegi Scott
Director of Fields/Scheduling, Larry Zensen
Director of Training, Pete Massey
Director of Sponsors, Jackie Sterner
Director of Public Relations, Karen Erickson
Director of Travel Teams, Clare Charles
Director of Coaches, Mark Miller
Director of Town Referees, TJ O'Leary
Director of Town League, Bill Prickett