2012.10.10 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Study Area Recommendations Based on analysis of athletic facility use, current supply of facilities. athletic association participation forecasts, local and national facility guidelines and demographic and sports trends. the following are major recommendations of the study. Athletic facilities within the District area are generally adequate to meet existing and future demand, with the following notable exceptions: Additional Gym Space is Needed There is a lack of indoor gym space for youth and adult community use. The demand for gym space greatly exceeds current supply. School use dominates the existing school gyms and school demand is increasing as more participate in year-round sports and multi -sport participation increases. Demand for gym space will continue to grow, increasing the gap between supply and demand. The greatest deficiencies occur at the community and youth sports level. Adequate gym space is not available for organized adult recreation use (primarily volleyball and basketball leagues) or for youth sports (basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer practice and games). Based on the high demand for gym space by recreational, sports, adaptive, and winter use participants, there should be at least one additional community recreation facility (minimum two full-size gym courts) constructed in the study area. This facility could be built in conjunction with school facilities, if the gyms are guaranteed to be available for community use during non -school hours. Additional Dedicated Soccer Fields are Needed There is a shortage of dedicated soccer fields. Soccer is the fastest growing sport in America. The current supply of full size fields barely meets the existing need and over -use and lack of irrigation is causing turf maintenance problems. Youth fields are also in short supply for the same reasons. Based on local youth association use, comparisons to other Twin City area suburbs, and growth in participation, a minimum of three large and six small soccer fields should be dedicated. If dedication of existing fields is not possible because it would displace another sport and cause additional shortages, new soccer fields need to be constructed and remain dedicated to the sport of soccer. The addition of irrigation to existing soccer fields should also be examined. Additional Medium and Large Size Baseball Fields are Needed. Based on national standards and comparisons to other local communities, the study area has a shortage of medium and large size baseball and softball fields (60' and 75' base lines, 200'- 250' outfield dimensions). Interest in baseball is increasing. Five to six additional fields are needed, preferably fields that can be adjusted to suit both sizes of play. The addition of lights to existing (if possible) or new baseball fields is becoming a necessity with the increased participation and extended season of the sport. ASSOCIATES