1. Middle/Wildcat Field Enhancement Update
June 12, 2014

2. Field Enhancement: A Long-Standing Priority
Decade-long need identified to address the shortage of field space
Need has increased as more residents participate in field sports
Lack of multi-purpose fields or rectangular fields in the municipality
Mt. Lebanon is almost entirely built-out, resulting in few options to create new fields
Need for additional field space recognized by:
Current and prior Commissions
2013 Comprehensive Plan
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) - turf field included in CIP
Approximately 3,600 total registrations in field-based youth sports programs in 2013 (as reported by the various sports associations and the Recreation Department)
Lack of multi-purpose fields in municipality
– Except for Bird (Municipal), Jefferson (SD) and High School turf (SD), all of our community fields are designed for baseball/softball
Mt. Lebanon residents have been leasing field space outside of the municipality
High school teams begin practice at 5:45 AM and end at 10:00 PM on HS turf
No available space for adult leagues or expansion of existing programs to younger age groups

3. Need for Field Enhancements
Poor conditions at municipal fields due to over use
Existing levels of use make it extremely difficult and expensive to maintain quality grass fields; little time for fields to rest
Middle field - October, 2013

4. Alternative Projects
Field enhancement alternatives considered (initial project costs listed):
McNeilly (2011) - $4 million (3 fields)
Robb Hollow (2012) - $1.3 million (Upper field - $1.1 million field and parking, $200k for relocation of leaf operations
Brafferton (2013) - $845,000 (field improvements and parking)
Challenges to prior proposals:
Required substantial investment in infrastructure – access roads, restrooms and parking
Added operating expense for maintenance and safety
Site constraints and/or related impact of projects
Lacked support and commitment by all parties

5. Middle/Wildcat Field Enhancement Project Approval
Commission approved a resolution on November 25, 2013 supporting the artificial turf project:
Included a $750,000 municipal contribution to the $1 million project
Approved $637,400 ($112,600 remaining to be funded)
Preference to use turf with organic infill
Established a task force to address project details

6. Long-term Cost Sharing: 16 years Municipal Share 69%
Municipal cost
Non-municipal cost
Total Cost (rounded)
Comments
Initial project cost
$750,000
$250,000
$1,000,000
Non-municipal share – must be in hand prior to awarding the contract
Turf replacement (at 8 years)
$350,000
$600,000
Non-municipal share - annual field use fee; plus sign sales
Total Capital Cost
1,100,000
500,000
1,600,000
69% Municipal share
Maintenance savings (16 yrs.)
($108,300)
Field maintenance expense: Current $21,169, turf cost $14,400 reducing cost by $6,769 annually; resources can be reallocated
Net Cost
$991,700

7. Non-municipal sources: Initial Project Cost 98% Committed
Cash
Pledged
Total
Sports Associations
$125,000
Donations to Endowment
$92,879
Corporate and Other Organizations
$9,000
$18,250
$27,250
$101,879
$143,250
$245,129
98% of $250,000 committed

8. Non-municipal Revenue: Year-8 Field Replacement Sensitivity Analysis
Pessimistic
Target
Maximum
Comments
Field fee revenue:
8-Year revenue projection
$182,784
$221,952
$261,120
Max. based on preliminary 2015 slotting for sports associations at $15 per hour; Target 85% of max. and Pessimistic 70% of max.
Sign revenue:
8-Year revenue
projection
$18,000
$30,000
$42,000
Max. assumes 7 sign sales at fields per year at $750 each; Target 5 signs/year and Pessimistic 3 signs/year
Total
$200,784
$251,952
$303,120
Analysis prepared by Mt. Lebanon’s Finance Director and Recreation Director

9. Turfing Middle/Wildcat Preferred Option
Best alternative to meet a long-standing need
Municipality has 40 years experience with turf at the high school
Increases field slots available by at least 60%
Benefits many residents and has broad support by stakeholders
Includes non-municipal contributions reducing the municipal share of capital costs to 69% over 16 years
Reduces annual maintenance costs by $6,700
Uses unassigned funds for initial municipal share; no tax increase needed
Leverages existing access, parking, restrooms, concessions and lights
turf extend seasons, allows for dual practices and significantly reduces rainouts
Sports Advisory Board
All sports associations
Directors of Recreation and Public Works
High School Athletic Director
High School Baseball Coach