Sparta Athletic Fields Referendum OVERVIEW

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1 Sparta Athletic Fields Referendum OVERVIEW February 13, 2012

2 Sparta has a Beautiful New High School Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

3 However. 5 athletic fields have been lost or damaged during the high school construction project Girls & Boys soccer/lacrosse field was turned into a wetland retention basin mandated by the NJDEP A practice field was lost to the footprint of the new building Both softball fields were damaged in construction One softball field was damaged by the temporary classrooms & part of outfield is parking lot 2 nd softball field & a 2 nd practice field now have manhole covers in field that were used for the temporary classrooms Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

4 Sparta Athletic Program 29 Sports 68 Team Levels (44 Fall/Spring) Fall Season Ø Cross Country (B/G) - V, JV Ø Field Hockey - V, JV Ø Football - V, JV, F Ø Girls Tennis - V, JV Ø Girls Volleyball - V, JV, F Ø Cheerleading - V, JV Ø Soccer (B/G) V,JV, F Winter Season Ø Bowling - V, JV Ø Swimming (BG) - V, JV Ø Ice Hockey - V, JV Winter Season Ø Basketball (B/G) - V, JV, F Ø Skiing (B/G) - V, JV Ø Winter Track (B/G) - V, JV Ø Wrestling - V, JV Spring Season Ø Boys Tennis - V, JV Ø Spring Track (B/G) - V, JV Ø Baseball - V, JV, F Ø Softball - V, JV, F Ø Lacrosse (B/G) - V, JV, F Ø Golf (B/G) - V, JV V-Varsity JV-Junior Varsity F- Freshmen B-Boys G-Girls Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

5 NJDEP Designated Wetlands 75 Acres 11 Usable Acres Wetlands Limits expansion of current fields Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

6 OVERVIEW OF CURRENT FIELD AND TRACK CONDITIONS Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

7 Cassels Football Field & Track are outdated The football field is used in the fall for practice, games, Marching Band and PE classes. The uneven dirt surface continues to worsen with overuse The bleachers are an insurance risk because they don t meet current standards The track is undersized, outdated and badly damaged and cannot be used for competition. Also does not have appropriate spectator facilities. 6 lane asphalt Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

8 Cassels Football Field The football field is also used for Varsity Baseball Continuous use does not allow the district to rest and appropriately maintain the field Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

9 Condition of Cassels Football Field The football field is an uneven dirt field Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

10 Cassels Football Field The current bleachers do not meet the requirements established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

11 Asphalt Track The track is outdated and badly damaged Sparta must compete out of district and cannot host a meet Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

12 Other Issues with the Track Asphalt surface is cracked and is unsafe for athletes and residents Current surface of track not up to current standards (rubberized track) Field events cannot be held in infields The track cannot be expanded on the current site due to state environmental regulations Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

13 Lost Boys & Girls Soccer/Lacrosse Field This was the field we lost which four sports teams and PE classes used, which is now a retention pond to hold storm water mandated by NJDEP Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

14 Lost Softball Fields These two fields are no longer useable due to installation of mid-field manholes for access to sewer lines Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

15 Fall Sports--Current Situation Soccer (Girls ) uses Station Park Soccer (Boys ) uses Fellner and Station Park Field hockey uses the grass interior of the track Football uses both the lower HS practice field, and portions of the upper field Marching Band uses current football field and parking lots for practice Cheerleaders practice inside high school Uses Cassels Football Field as available Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

16 Spring Sports--Current Situation Softball has moved to Station Park fields due to the manholes installed within the two former HS fields Varsity Baseball plays on the current football field. JV & Freshman use Station Park Lacrosse sports (Girls & Boys ) are at Fellner Many practices are held off-site for additional cost Track teams (Girls & Boys ) use the track and infield for practice unable to use the facility for league competitions Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

17 Physical Education Classes PE classes have to walk across West Mountain Road Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

18 PROPOSED REFERENDUM Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

19 Bond Referendum The bond referendum allows voters to authorize the school district to raise funds for construction Funding from this referendum is specifically to replace damaged fields and relocate the track Voting will take place on Tuesday, March 13 th from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mail in ballots are available This is considered a Special Election for a Referendum Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

20 What is Included The design and construction of a multi-purpose athletic turf field includes: Eight-lane track Lighting Press box Sound system Permanent bleachers for Sparta and visitors Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

21 Who will use the new facilities High school physical education classes Track and Field Marching Band Boys and Girls Soccer Teams Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams Field Hockey Teams Football Teams Sparta Recreation Department TWP Sports Senior citizens Sparta residents Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

22 Proposed Layout The district engaged Birdsall Engineering Firm and received input from NJ DEP to identify the best location for a multi-purpose athletic field The current football field does not have sufficient space for all the proposed uses All environmental restrictions/limitations considered Additional multi-purpose turf field will allow for more efficient use and maintenance of our current fields Even with new proposed multi-purpose turf field we will need to maintain collaborative working relationship with Township Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

23 Proposed Project Special Election Tuesday March 13, pm to 9pm Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

24 SOME INFORMATION ABOUT TURF FIELDS Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

25 Advantages of Turf Field can be used year round Can be used in most weather conditions Scrimmages can be held at Sparta Reducing Travel time Time out of classrooms Costs to rent off site fields Low maintenance reduces costs Safer than a dirt field In 2004, the NCAA published the results of a study among schools nationwide comparing injury rates between natural and artificial turf and the injury rate during practice was 4.4% on natural turf and 3.5% on artificial turf. Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

26 Cassels Football Field In the rain Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

27 Other NJ Schools multi-purpose fields Morristown High School Pope John XXIII Regional High School Madison High School Vernon High School Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

28 FINANCIALS WHAT WILL THIS FIELD COST? Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

29 Proposed Cost Based upon the cost estimates, the referendum authorizes the project expenditures not to exceed $4,583,000 Bond and interest rates are at their lowest rate in decades 15 Year Bond at 3% Interest Based on 2011 Tax Data Per $100 Assessed Value: $0.016 Home at avg. assessed value of $301,800 $48.29 Less than $1/wk Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

30 Tax Impact Summary Tax Impact per $100 of Assessed Value $0.016 Assessed Value Average Annual Tax Impact $100,000 $16.09 $200,000 $32.19 $300,000 $48.28 $301,800 $48.29 $400,000 $64.37 $500,000 $80.47 $600,000 $96.56 Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

31 Construction Project Funds The district anticipates unspent funds from the high school reconstruction project Unspent funds must be used to pay down the principal of the high school building debt, reducing the overall tax impact Exact amount will be determined once the district has closed out the project We hope the difference will be a minimal new tax impact with new bonds Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

32 Benefits to the Entire Community Sports games/practices can be held at night throughout the year Sparta residents can enjoy track for walking and running Increased athletic participation with students Makes Sparta a more attractive place to live and visit Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

33 What is Not Part of the Referendum The district intends to use existing funds from Capital Reserve for repairs to other areas in budget: Tennis Courts Fellner Field Rehabilitation Baseball Field Rehabilitation Why? The Capital Reserve Account is part of the district s annual budget. The Long Range Facility Plan (LRFP) has been amended and the required Statement of Purpose will be included in the budget to allow the repairs to be completed. Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

34 Lets Keep Sparta Winning! 2011 Girls Softball State Champs Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

35 Learn More Frequently Asked Questions Mail-In Ballot Application Voter Registration Form Sparta High School student, Jan Uczkowski, created 2 videos that document the condition of HS fields: More questions dennis.tobin@sparta.org keith.smith@sparta.org dorothy.labeau@sparta.org Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

36 Mail-In Ballot Any registered voter can fill out an application for a Mail-In Ballot Applications can be obtained at Actual ballot must be received by County Clerk by 3pm on March 12 th. Can fill out application in person and cast actual ballot anytime from March 6 th thru March 12 th at the County Clerks office in Newton Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

37 BALLOT Approved by Sparta Township Board of Education on January 30, 2012 by unanimous vote: The Board of Education of the Township of Sparta, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey is authorized (a) to provide for the improvement of fields including drainage and site work, installation of synthetic fields and track, grandstand, sound systems, scoreboard and other equipment: (b) to appropriate $4,583,000 for the project; and (c) to issue bonds of the school district to finance the project in the principal amount of $4,583,000. This project is not eligible for State support under the Education Facilities Construction and Financing Act. Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

38 PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE! DATE: MARCH 13, 2012 TIME: 2 p.m. 9 p.m. PLACE: AT YOUR REGULAR ELECTION SITE Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

39 6.00% Bond Buyer 20-Year Bond Index Since January 1, % 5.50% 5.25% 5.00% 4.75% 4.50% 4.25% 4.00% 3.75% 3.50% Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06 Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12 Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

40 Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

41 Questions? Sparta_Athletic_Fields_

42 Backup Slides Sparta_Athletic_Fields_