Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Parks & Recreation Department
DATE: December 27, 2012
TO: Dave Corliss, City Manager,
Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks & Recreation
FROM: Mark Hecker, Assistant Director Parks & Recreation
RE: Lighted Tennis Facilities
The attached chart delineates current options to provide an 8-court lighted tennis facility for the community.
If either of the high school sites are selected the City and the School District would need to enter into a cooperative agreement to provide for the long-term maintenance and scheduling of the facility. The Rock Chalk site would be maintained and scheduled by the City.
Staff Recommendation:
The Rock Chalk Park site offers the most advantages.
|
Lawrence High |
Lawrence High |
Rock Chalk Park |
Free State HS |
Project Description |
Install a Permanent lighting system on 8 existing court |
Install a Temporary lighting system on 8 existing courts for 2013 season |
Construct 8 new tennis courts with lights |
Resurface 5 existing courts, build 3 new courts, light all 8 courts |
Current Number of Courts |
8 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
Proposed Number of Courts |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Current Court Condition |
Good (Some minor surface cracking ) |
Good (Some minor surface cracking ) |
|
Poor (5 existing courts need resurfaced) |
Parking for events |
152 spaces (not enough for events) |
152 spaces (not enough for events) |
Over 1400 spaces planned |
Available in school parking lot |
Public restroom facilities |
Currently not available but planned in the future |
Currently not available but planned in the future |
Available in new Recreation Center |
Available in school facility at north end of maintenance building |
Current court lighting |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Considerations that factor in to the installation of court lighting |
· Court proximity of residential housing · Neighborhood is on record as opposing lighting project · Drainage system built under courts restricts pole placement · Installation of new lights would require cutting existing court surface to install conduit and east poles · Meeting City Code for lighting foot-candles at the property line can be accomplished but mitigation of light impact may reduce the times and months of the year to play tennis. · Glare from lights will impact neighborhood
|
· Court proximity of residential housing · Neighborhood is on record as opposing lighting project · Drainage system built under courts restricts pole placement · Installation of new lights would require cutting existing court surface to install conduit and east poles · Meeting City Code for lighting foot-candles at the property line can be accomplished but mitigation of light impact may reduce the times and months of the year to play tennis. · Glare from lights will impact neighborhood · Lighting will be installed and then removed when rental period is complete · Lights would not be owned by the City and could not be used on other sites. |
· Currently minimal residential housing near this site · Will be part of a larger sports complex · Constructed by spring of 2014 · The tennis facility was included in the total negotiated cost of the new recreation facility. |
· Residential housing not as close to courts so light impact not as great to neighborhood compared to LHS site. · Minimal opposition from the adjacent neighborhood to lighting has been received.
|
Considerations that factor in to new court construction |
None |
None |
City in complete control |
New courts would occupy a portion of the current soccer practice field |
City / USD Cooperation |
Will require an agreement for future maintenance and scheduling of the USD owned facility |
Will require an agreement for future maintenance and scheduling of the USD owned facility |
City would control maintenance and scheduling. |
Will require an agreement for future maintenance and scheduling of the USD owned facility |
Estimated Project Cost |
$238,000 |
$175,000-$200,000 for 6-month equipment rental. Plus $25,000 - $30,000 for electrical connections |
Constructed as part of the $25 million Recreation Center Project |
$606,932 |