Soccer field plan to cost $450,000

For the first phase of the project, which would focus on addressing the majority of drainage issues on the land, and building the fields, they would likely be asking for $300,000. The second phase would cost $130,000, an amount that Terenzini said they hoped to get through volunteer efforts and parts of the economic stimulus package. The $825 billion economic stimulus package is currently under debate in Congress.A $20,000 federal grant would round out the project costs. “We’re asking for the funds to do the first phase and hope that there are enough volunteers and stimulus pieces,” said Terenzini. “If those don’t play out, we may be back here asking for $130,000. We don‘t want to spend money frivolously, but we do want to make sure that we’re positioned for when this thing (stimulus package) lands, so that we can catch a piece or two of that pie.” Selectman Betsey Patten warned that the New Hampshire House was already talking about potential projects for any economic stimulus funds, and that the more populous places in the state would be the more likely candidates to receive funding. “The feeling in Concord is that whoever gets it (will have a) project that will have the most impact on the most people,” said Patten. “Anyone north of Concord is notthe most people.” The first phase of the plan for the land on Rt. 109 calls for a soccer field and a lesser field to be constructed, to develop a drainage system, a graded area, and to relocate the outside kiosk. The second phase would be to construct additional parking behind the existing building, and developing a ballfield. The next phase “could be buildings,” Terenzini explained, noting that any buildings could be built in several different phases. He and Howard showed a diagram of different ways that a building could be phased in different ways - a building could begin as a gym, or begin as office space for the Visiting Nurse Service and Human Services, along with function halls. Later on, other phases would add in walking trails and restrooms and a concession stand. The phase that the Recreation Department is focusing on, however, is in the creation of playing fields on the land. This is in conjunction with a potential federal grant that would give them $20,000 to begin work on repairing the playing fields at Playground Drive. The grant requires that during the reconstruction, an alternate field be opened for use of those who would normally play on the field under construction. Terenzini said that the request for $300,000, if granted, would allow them to address the majority of the drainage issues on the Rt. 109 site, so that they could move forward with other elements. “We’re starting in phases, but we’re flexible as to what we tackle first,” said Howard.“We’ve worked hard to bring it to bite-sized pieces.” Last November, Terenzini asked for and received authorization from selectmen to apply for matching 50-50 federal grant from Land and Water Conservation. To do so, Terenzini said that the Lions Club land would have to be reviewed by an engineer, in order to determine where future playing fields and possible building would be placed. That amount allowed the town to revisit the building’s footprint, develop a phasing plan, and get a cost estimate for the fields. Advisory Budget Committee member Jean Beadle said that if the funds didn’t materialize for the second phase of the project, the town would still have fields on Rt. 109 with improved drainage. Without an alternate dry field, Kuethe said, scheduling regular athletic events on the wet fields was “a nightmare at times.” The phasing project for Playground Drive sets soccer field reconstruction as its first goal, followed by reconstruction of the ballfield, parking and entry, ADA access improvements, and parkways and amenities. The tentative date for the Moultonboro budget hearing is Feb. 9, and the hearing for all warrant artic.

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