HomeMy WebLinkAboutSports complex Public Comment from Kathy Powell 4-3-14April 3, 2014 TO: Bozeman Mayor Krauss & Deputy Mayor Carson
Commissioners Andrus, Mehl & Pomeroy RE: Sports Complex Proposal Funding Request
I am writing in PARTIAL support of the Sport Complex request for funding. Why partial? Well, a sports complex would be a good addition to a city. Many children can benefit from its use. It brings parents together and it brings kids and parents from other cities to Bozeman for tournaments – an economic
boost for local businesses. Yet, some parts of this request concern me.
Co-funding from the Bozeman Soccer Education Foundation
Recycling at practices & tournaments
Artificial Turf Stadium
Lighting & Energy efficient buildings
Funding Match: In the article in the Bozeman Chronicle Thursday, April 3, 2014, it states that the Bozeman
Soccer Education Foundation is committed to raising funds for the project. That is good, but committed and having
funds are not the same thing. If the City Commission supports some level of funding for the sports complex, it should require a 1/4 or some dollar match before City bond funds can be used.
Recycling: This should be an integral part of the sports complex and part of the planning from the get-go.
Recycling bins and a collection program should be included in the budget for all multisport practices and tournaments. The Commission should make this a contingency requirement to receive City bond funding. Artificial Turf: In the April 3 Chronicle article it mentions that one of the amenities for the complex would be an
artificial turf stadium. Artificial turf has both pros and cons. The Commission needs to ask the right questions
when considering this amenity: What are/is the: Up front costs? Maintenance costs? Record of injuries on this kind of turf? Recyclability of worn
out synthetic turf and the underlying fill? Carbon footprint of using this product? Temperature of surface in heat of Bozeman summer? Chemical emissions? Here is a link to a booklet that addresses these questions:
“The Dirt on Turf – What You Need to Know About Synthetic Turf and Natural Grass for Athletic Fields”.
Written by 2 grass turf farmers who were considering adding synthetic turf to their product line. http://www.redhenturf.com/pdfs/TheTruthAboutArtificialTurf.pdf
Any turf is costly to put in and maintain. Synthetic turf has a higher up front cost. It needs to be replaced
approximately every 12 years and it has surprising maintenance costs. Synthetic turf does not need to be fertilized but it does need to be vacuumed, brushed, cleaned, sprayed, sanitized and loose seams repaired. Gum or candy dropped on the turf must be softened with solvent and hand pried out of the fibers. Often made from recycled tires
(a good thing) it is questionable if the old artificial turf can be recycled; and it would be costly to landfill. Some say there are fewer injuries on synthetic turf but other studies say there are more. The surface of artificial turf can
get very hot (late July and August in Bozeman) and be a risk to players. Also - What is the carbon footprint for
artificial turf? What chemicals are emitted from crumb rubber in this kind of turf?
Lighting& Buildings: To secure city bond funding any outdoor lighting should be required to utilize LED lights and the light directed downward. Any buildings should be built to be energy efficient to levels worked out with the
Sustainability Coordinator and Building Dept.
So, again I am in PARTIAL support of the City Parks & Trails bond Fund money supporting a sports complex, but
the above concerns should be addressed.
Kathy Powell 1215 S 3rd Ave Bozeman MT 59715 406-600-1164 powellgriz@bresnan.net