$660,000 soccer fields being built in Mandarin for Art Shad's son

[copperfiend]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/205226/483/New-Soccer-Field-Not-Meant-to-Save-You-Money-

Not really but it doesn't sound far off.

Jacksonville, Florida -- The state of the art, synthetic soccer field the city is building at Losco Regional Park is one-of-a-kind for Jacksonville.

The plan was pioneered by Jacksonville City Council member Art Shad who said he was not trying to save money by using synthetic material on the field built in Mandarin. "We didn't make this investment with the idea that we were going to save money."

But Shad, as a councilman for the last eight years, has been  constantly battling the city's deficit.  

When asked about the expenditure in the face of the city's $60 million debt, he said, "every decision we make for spending money we have to weigh the pros and cons, and keep the overall budget in mind."

"Once again, we did not ever declare or claim this was going to save money."

Each square foot of the park is costing taxpayers about $7.33; at 90,000 square feet, the total bill is nearly $660,000.

Resident Holly Magiera said she has concerns about the cost of this project. "Well I'm not sure the cost of the synthetic field is worth it, considering that a grass field is a lot less. And with our deficit the way it is, we should probably save our money for other things."

Shad sticks by his position. "That's her opinion and she's welcome to it. I was elected by the citizens of the city, of District 5, to make the best decisions that I could, and I'm doing it."

"This decision, improvement is not being done to save money or break even.  It's being done to provide a great facility for the users of the park."

The cost for a new surface for this size field would be around $100,000. Under heavy use, the grass would need to be replaced about every five years.  

Shad said the synthetic material used on this field at Losco is expected to last between 15 and 20 years. But, Bryan O'Neal, a spokesman for Astroturf, the manufacturer of the product the city is using, seems to disagree.

"Synthetic fields are under warranty for like an eight-year period, an eight- to 10-year period, but they can last longer than that.  But after the eight-year period, a lot of them are replaced."

To replace the surface every 10 years at $660,000, minus two total replacement fields of grass every five years at $100,000 each, equals $200,000. Not including maintenance costs, which are higher with grass, the city would save about $460,000 over a 10-year period.

When asked about a conflict of interest, since he lives and represents District 5 where the park is being built, he said,  "That's my job. You know, there are three soccer parks in District 5 and I have a child that plays in all three of them."

The city's budget is divided into a number of segments, and Shad said there are two separate components of the budget involved in the field. The operational budget would pay for the park staff, maintaining the grounds and all recurring costs.  The capital budget would be used to pay for new projects, like this new field.

"This 650,000 could not be used to cover the deficit this year," said Shad.

But, if the money for the field and similar projects went unused at the end of the city's fiscal year, it could be redirected to an emergency fund the city is building in the event of a hurricane or similar widespread disasters.

But Shad said he didn't think it would be better to save the money. "Once again, I feel comfortable with this decision and making this investment for our city."

The field is using about 15 to 20 percent of the city's park improvements section of the capital improvements fund this year.

"It's a bigger number, yes. I'm not real familiar with the expenditure with that fund, but that seems to be a decent chunk of it, certainly," said Shad.

This project did not have to go through an entire 19-member city council vote, as the money in this capital fund is approved annually, and each project does not need full council approval.

Tomorrow on First Coast News, we will look at other parks that are not getting this type of funding.

First Coast News

[CityLife]

Wow! What an absolutely idiotic idea. I'm a former Mandarin soccer star and huge fan of the sport if that gives you an idea of how bad this is.

For one the city just built a great new soccer complex off San Jose in Mandarin about 10 years ago. I haven't been there in a few years, but last I went it was still in great shape. There is also an excellent new soccer complex off Hodges that the city spent a ton of money on. The Jacksonville Jaguars (was named this before the footballl team) have a small complex near Southpoint/Tinsletown that has high quality fields.

What is the point of building an expensive field at a park that none of the soccer clubs even use? I can't imagine this will pass.

[Scarlettjax]

Wow, that money would likely save all the high school sports currently on the chopping block.

[Ralph W]

My concern about building and maintaining athletics fields - soccer, baseball, etc., is that the ordinary pickup game is completely forbidden. If you aren't part of organized ball, you do not get to play on those fields. What is the point of spending public money for public facilities if the whole public does not get to use the facility?

[Captain Zissou]

This park is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere.  It also looks like it only has room for maybe 2-3 fields.  I don't know if JYSC uses this park regularly for games, but I don't think so.

I don't know if I could ever be called a soccer 'star', but I played for a little over a decade. First off, grass fields are more than adequate and Jacksonville has many great areas for soccer.  However, if we have to build an AstroTurf field somewhere, Chuck Rogers Park in Mandarin or the park on Old St Augustine are much bigger and more commonly used for soccer and therefore better locations for this luxury turf.  Those fields already have thousands of people using them and would really benefit from a signature field like this.  

This Losco Park looks like a dump in the middle of nowhere that nobody would use.  Don't waste the money.

[copperfiend]

My concern about building and maintaining athletics fields - soccer, baseball, etc., is that the ordinary pickup game is completely forbidden. If you aren't part of organized ball, you do not get to play on those fields. What is the point of spending public money for public facilities if the whole public does not get to use the facility?

What is the point of building a synthetic grass soccer field in Florida?

[CityLife]

This park is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere.  It also looks like it only has room for maybe 2-3 fields.  I don't know if JYSC uses this park regularly for games, but I don't think so.

I don't know if I could ever be called a soccer 'star', but I played for a little over a decade. First off, grass fields are more than adequate and Jacksonville has many great areas for soccer.  However, if we have to build an AstroTurf field somewhere, Chuck Rogers Park in Mandarin or the park on Old St Augustine are much bigger and more commonly used for soccer and therefore better locations for this luxury turf.  Those fields already have thousands of people using them and would really benefit from a signature field like this.  

This Losco Park looks like a dump in the middle of nowhere that nobody would use.  Don't waste the money.

It is definitely in the middle of nowhere. The area used to be mostly small farms, but has turned into subdivisions in the past 10-15 years.

My friends from high school play our annual Turkey Bowl football game there and the fields aren't even lined, so I don't think it is used for anything other than pick up games and maybe practices. The only people I've ever seen playing there are Mexicans/Latin American Immigrants.

Don't forget the Jaguars fields too. Those are probably the most centrally located in the city. It is also one of the best clubs in the city. At least it was back when I played in the late 90's. By the way I was being humble by only calling myself a Mandarin soccer star 

But yes all in all a horrible idea and waste of money. There is no way this should pass. Especially with much better uses for city park money...Hogan's Creek Greenway perhaps?

[CityLife]

My concern about building and maintaining athletics fields - soccer, baseball, etc., is that the ordinary pickup game is completely forbidden. If you aren't part of organized ball, you do not get to play on those fields. What is the point of spending public money for public facilities if the whole public does not get to use the facility?

What is the point of building a synthetic grass soccer field in Florida?

No need whatsoever. I've played on it a few times and much prefer the regular stuff.

[JeffreyS]

I think somebody is Jealous that Westside/Oakleaf soccer have become the premier clubs in the city.

[CityLife]

I think somebody is Jealous that Westside/Oakleaf soccer have become the premier clubs in the city.

No way? Really?

Clubs should be gauged on how good their travel teams are and I have a hard time believing those could be the best, unless they are taking all of Clay County's Soccer Clubs best.

My teams used to have travel well outside of Jax because the only remotely decent clubs in Jax were Beaches, JYS, Jaguars, and Clay County.

[Ajax]

I believe the city enters into a licence agreement with the local youth clubs, and allows them to regulate the use of the parks.  In return, the clubs maintain the facilities and pay rent to the city.  

JYS is in charge of Earl Johnson, Chuck Rogers and (I think) Losco.  I play in the adult league (BASL), and we used to pay rent to JYS to play at Losco a few years ago.  My understanding is that JYS didn't renew with BASL because there was too much wear and tear on the fields.  

I'm not crazy about playing on the synthetic fields because a) it feels like my feet stick to the ground and I'm always worried I'm going to blow out my ancient knees, and b) it gets really hot.  I mean it feels like 10-15 degrees hotter on that stuff.  

The last time I played at Chuck Rogers I was caked in mud and my car smelled like a sewer for a few days.  That park was basically a swamp.  I haven't been there in about a year so it's possible it has improved, but it will probably always have swampy sections.  We had games scheduled for Sundays that were cancelled because it rained on the Tuesday before and there was still standing water on the fields.  

Also, regarding the Jaguars, I've heard that Brackridge Park is in terrible shape, and the city is about the kick in some money to renovate their park this summer.  They've lost a lot of players and coaches because of their facilities.  I understand that they have some very dedicated coaches and board members who are working very hard to correct that situation. 

Regarding Westside/Oakleaf, they're relatively new to the travel soccer scene, but they are definitely an up-and-comer.  

[CityLife]

Ajax, you are correct. The Jaguars are completely renovating their fields this summer with help from the city. Definitely much needed and will hopefully bring back any players or coaches the club lost.

I know when I played there in the late 90's and my brother in the early/mid 00's, the Jaguars were on their way to being the dominant club in Jax for elite players. My team and the team below me were both Final 4 caliber teams and my brothers made the state title and was ranked in the top 10 or so nationwide.

I don't know what the current situation in club soccer is, but the city needs an elite club for college caliber players. It is much easier to be seen by scouts this way. Heck Eddie Johnson (of National Team fame) used to drive from Flagler County to practice with us and I'm pretty sure guest played with the team below me.

JYS has lost a lot of its mojo and does not need $600,000 for a field that won't even be much of an upgrade. Hopefully the rest of the council will throw that pork sandwich in the garbage.

[copperfiend]

It seems insulting that so many sports were dropped last week by the school board over less than 400k and this clown wants to spend 600k on new fields for his kid's soccer league.

[tufsu1]

while this does seem a bit wasteful, the story on First Coast News last night (and this written version) are a bit slanted....they admitted that a grass field would have to be replaced every 5 years so over 10 years it would cost $200,000...while the turf costs $660,000 over the same period

But that's not the full story...as they said quietly, maintenance costs weren't considered...how much would it cost to water and mow a 90,000 square foot grass field over 10 years?

[copperfiend]

And tomorrow FCN will have a story on all the parks around town not receiving this type of funding. I bet I can guess what areas of town they are in.