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Department of Parks and Recreation
Reference: Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of a Grant Application to Adams County for an Amount Not to Exceed $682,000.00 for the “Water Tower Fields Turf Conversion Project”; and to Authorize the Acting City Manager to Sign the Grant Application.
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Clint Blackhurst, Acting City Manager
Chontel Trujillo, Assistant City Manager of Operations
Prepared By: Gary Wardle, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mark Heidt, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Development
Date Prepared: July 24, 2017
PURPOSE
A Resolution authorizing the City of Brighton to submit to Adams County Open Space an Active Grant Application requesting grant funding in the amount not to exceed $682,000.00 for the “Water Tower Fields Turf Conversion Project”; and to authorize the Acting City Manager to sign the grant application.
BACKGROUND
Water Tower Park is located at 4204 Crestone Peak Street and is surrounded by one of the City’s water tower complexes and a growing housing development. Presently, Water Tower Park contains 2 smaller football/soccer fields and 1 larger 100-yard football/soccer field. All 3 fields are planted in bluegrass sod. The fields are used for league games, tournaments, and some practices. Due to the number of youth teams that use the fields, the fields are over used. Even though reseeding and proper maintenance has occurred there are still bare dirt spots throughout the fields due to the use. One of the reasons for this grant application is due to safety concerns on the present fields and the area surrounding the fields. A second reason for the application is that having artificial turf fields will allow usage of the fields for more months during the year - the fields do not need to rest for the sod to recuperate. The third reason is that artificial turf fields take less water to maintain them than bluegrass sod fields and this saves money for the City. The last reason is that lacrosse is becoming popular in Colorado and the Brighton region - the artificial turf fields will have permanent field striping on each of the fields for soccer, football, and lacrosse.
The total cost for converting the bluegrass sod to artificial turf is estimated to be $2,800,000.00. Due to the high cost for the project, the Parks and Recreation Department has chosen to split this turf conversion project into three annual $1,240,000.00 projects. The total project will address the removal of over-used bluegrass sod, subgrade work, adding 3 artificial turf fields with drainage system and perimeter drains, striping for soccer and football and lacrosse, a two rail fence with wire mesh around the 3 fields for park safety, an ADA accessible concrete walk between the fields and park’s concession stand, and native grasses and trees surrounding the fields. (The walk will connect the fields to the future permanent parking lot.) An irrigation system will be used at the park site to clean and cool the artificial turf.
The first year project, which this Adams County Open Space Grant Application is asking for funding, is for $1,240,000.00 for the doing the turf conversion of the larger 100-yard football field. This project will include removal of the present sod, subgrade work, perimeter drains, a 360-feet by 240-feet artificial turf field, a turf field drainage system, striping of the field for soccer, football, and lacrosse, and some field edge landscaping. This Adams County Grant Application project is the combination of both this grant request and City’s matching funds. The Adams County Open Space Active Grant Application funding request of $682,000.00 (55% of first year project total) will match to the City’s cash match of $558,000.00 (45% of total). The City will budget this cash match in the 2018 Recreation Capital Fund.
In order to receive the Adams County Open Space Active Grant monies, the attached Resolution must be approved by City Council so that the City can submit this Grant Application. The Resolution authorizes the City to apply for Adams County Open Space Grant funding through the Active Grant Application, and authorizes the City Manager to sign the Grant Application. The City Attorney has reviewed the Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Awarded Adams County Open Space Active Grant Application funds of $682,000.00 will be used for the “Water Tower Fields Turf Conversion Project”. The City will budget a match of $558,000.00 in the 2018 Recreation Capital Budget. The total project is estimated to be $1,240,000.00.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Resolution authorizing Staff to submit an Adams County Open Space Active Grant Application requesting grant funding in an amount not to exceed $682,000.00 for the “Water Tower Fields Turf Conversion Project”; and authorizing the Acting City Manager to sign the Grant Application.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Approve the Resolution, or
• Deny the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution.