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Home My WebLink About2018-09-13-REC-min `OVS M010? oQ X775 tic m A Town of Lexington r w 3 Recreation Committee a _ � 3 o a^ APRIL ff" �FkINGT�� Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Lisah Rhodes,Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Lisa O'Brien Ruixi(Ray)Yuan Francesca Pfrommer Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting September 13, 2018 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Thursday, September 13,2018 at 6:00pm in the Dining Room(Room 139) of the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road,Lexington. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Lisah Rhodes, Lisa O'Brien, and Francesca Pfrommer Members Absent: Ruixi Yuan Staff Present: Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Dave Pinsonneault, DPW Director Others Present: Cindy Arens (7 Kitson Park Drive, Lexington),Bill Babcock(27 Moreland Avenue, Lexington),Meg Buczynski(Architect with Activitas), Tim Clackson (14 Winthrop Road, Lexington),Ken Ford(22 Philip Road, Lexington), James Hall(37 Bigelow Street, Brighton), Jeff Heisner(0 Essex Street, Lexington), Anders Lindstrom(25 Somerset Road, Lexington),Doug Lucente (Board of Selectmen liaison),Naomi Martin(Lexington High School Athletic Director), Steve McKenna(9 Hancock Street,Lexington),Katie Reynolds (114 Lowell Street, Lexington), and Tom Shiple (18 Phinney Road,Lexington) 1. Introductions,Design and Layout Overview, and Discussion This was the first public meeting on the Center Track and Field reconstruction project. Funding was appropriated at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting for this project. The meeting began with Meg Buczynski, architect with Activitas,providing an update on the current status of the project and an overview of the proposed design and layout of the site. Ms. Buczynski indicated that the project is in the early design stages and Town staff will make decisions on certain elements of the project based on the feedback and input that is received from user groups, community stakeholders, and Lexington residents. The project calls for the installation of a new 6-lane track with 8-lane straightaways and the track elements (throwing and jumping events)will be incorporated within the track, a new multi-purpose athletic field, a new lighting system,new fencing,new spectator seating, and ADA accessibility to the site. The athletic field playing surface will be either synthetic turf or a hybrid mix of natural grass and synthetic turf. The final decision about the playing surface has not been made. Improved signage will be included at the site as a part of this project After the initial overview was given,members in the audience had the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns or issues, and indicate their preferences as the project moves forward. During this portion of the meeting, the following items were raised for consideration: 2 • Synthetic Turf vs. Hybrid PlUing Surface o Pros and Cons of a synthetic turf field? Of a hybrid field? ■ Hybrid has the look, use, and feel of a natural grass field and synthetic fibers would help with maintenance; field would give off less heat than a synthetic turf field. ■ Synthetic turf field would have increased playability. ■ Cost to install either field is approximately the same. ■ It was communicated that synthetic turf is the surface that people want to play on. o How would a hybrid field perform on a rainy day? Would it still be playable when other natural grass fields are closed? o Snow removal—could snow removal be included in the warranty for either playing surface? • Track Layout&Elements o Is there space for an 8-lane track at the site? While the budget for a 6-lane with 8-lane straightaway track has already been approved, an 8-lane option will be drawn and reviewed. o Regarding track color,there is a small upcharge to install a blue track(instead of maroon)and that amount is included in the budget. o The final layout will need to make sense for jumping and throwing events; biggest concern is for safety during throwing events. o Discus cage is included within the track. o A more defined shot put area is needed,the current area is not sufficient. A length of 60' is needed. o Could rubber tips be used on javelin/discus so field warranty isn't jeopardized? o An area for pole vault should be included and the jumping pits will be covered. • Fencing o Open track vs. controlled access? o Fencing needed to host large-scale track events. o Permanent fencing would reduce risk of accidents during track practices. o Permanent fencing would also disrupt the open feel of the park. o Temporary fencing is being considered. o Temporary netting along the sidelines would allow for the field to be used at the same time as the track(lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, etc.). 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 • Lighting& Site Amenities o The new lighting system currently calls for 50 footcandles. The lights at Lincoln#2 are 30 footcandles, which are more environmentally friendly and operate at lower utility costs. o There is a need for scoreboards at Center Track and Center#1 (similar to the scoreboards at Center#2 and Center#4). o More water fountains, shade structures,trash cans, and recycling bins are needed at the complex. o The lighting at the Park Drive bathrooms should also be addressed. The meeting concluded with an overview of the tentative timeline for the project as well as what the next steps in the process will be. Ms. Buczynski indicated that the design phase will be completed this fall,the project will go out to bid in January 2019 with a bid opening scheduled for February 2019,the start date will be on approximately June 1,2019, and it is estimated that construction will take approximately 4 months to complete,meaning that user groups should plan on the Center Track Field not being available during the Summer 2019 and Fall 2019 seasons. Naomi Martin,Lexington High School Athletic Director, stated that the Center Track and Field need to be useable for the Spring 2020 season since alternative sites are not available for the sports that utilize the facility. Town staff will work with Ms. Buczynski in the coming weeks to gather additional research and information so the various questions that were raised during the meeting can be addressed. This information will be available prior to the October Recreation Committee meeting,which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 17T''. The Center Track and Field renovation project will be the primary agenda item for this meeting and serve as the second public meeting where people will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback and input on this project. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday,October 17r' at 6:30pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. The September 13th, 2018 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 7:01pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421