11/16/2011
PT plan comes with price
By Terri T. Johnson Almanac staff writer tjohnson@thealmanac.net
Recreation programs in Peters Township are extremely active and supplying fields on which various sports will play, comes at a high price to taxpayers.
The school district is in the midst of a nearly $2.5 million upgrade to athletic fields above Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The fields will have lights, a sound system and artificial turf, along with a concession stand and rest rooms.
On Nov. 14, township council voted to spend $204,000 for the installation of lights on Field 5 in Peterswood Park. The contract was awarded to the lowest of 11 bids, Schultheis Electric.
Work on a design to install artificial turf on the same field will continue with the total estimated cost to improve the field reaching about $1.4 million. The design contract was let earlier for $39,500 and does not include surveying the field. That cost could reach an additional $2,000 to $3,000.
To help with the turf costs, the soccer association has agreed to contribute up to $250,000 on the condition the soccer association receives scheduling priority during its season. Council hopes the field will be graded at the end of the spring soccer season, with the new turf installed in the summer in anticipation of the fall 2012 soccer season.
In another area of Peterswood Park, the township is currently spending about $2.5 million to expand additional fields.
Both the township and the school district are funding the projects with proceeds received through bond issues.
The electrical contract was passed by council on a 6 to 2 vote. Councilman Gary Stiegel Jr. was absent. Voting against were Council members Monica Merrell, who did not give a reason for her vote, and Robert Lewis, who has made his opinion known in previous votes involving expansion of or upgrading to facilities for youth sports.
Lewis said he believes too much money is being spent on youth sports and that funds should be directed to other recreational activities.
