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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-28-RECTrack-min lOvs MOBp�'Y pQ IT]5 G x Town of Lexington Recreation Committee ,s b APPIL19 S FX INC, 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 November 28, 2018 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday,November 28, 2018 at 6:30pm in the Room 237 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: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs,Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean, Community Center Director, and Chris Filadoro, DPW Superintendent of Public Grounds Others Present: Bill Babcock(27 Moreland Avenue, Lexington), Scott Bokun(15 Middleby Road, Lexington), Victoria Buckley(18 Bates Road,Lexington), Meg Buczynski (Architect with Activitas), Tim Clackson (14 Winthrop Road, Lexington), Frank DiLiegro (176 E. Emerson Road, Lexington), James Hall(37 Bigelow Street, Brighton), Eileen Jay(School Committee liaison), Doug Lucente (Board of Selectmen liaison),Naomi Martin(Lexington High School Athletic Director) Dawn McKenna(9 Hancock Street,Lexington), Steve McKenna(9 Hancock Street, Lexington), Sean O'Connell (Architect with Activitas), and Tom Shiple (18 Phinney Road, Lexington) 1. Center Track and Field Reconstruction Project—Public Meeting#3 This was the third public meeting on the Center Track and Field reconstruction project. The meeting began as Meg Buczynski, architect with Activitas,provided an update on where the project stood. Ms. Buczynski stated that the next steps would be obtaining the required permits from the Conservation and Engineering departments. In order to apply for the permits, the overall layout needs to be finalized. Ms. Buczynski indicated that decisions regarding the number of lanes (6 lanes with 8-lane straightaway vs. 8 lanes all the way around), the width of the field, and the location of the throwing events and bleachers needed to be made at the meeting so the project could move forward. Sean O'Connell, architect with Activitas, reviewed the two concepts for the proposed layout. In Concept 1, the pole vault and javelin events would be held on the west side of the complex, discus would take place on the southeast section of the complex, and the high jump would be on the east side of the complex. In Concept 2, the throwing events would be switched where discus would take place on the southwest section of the complex, the high jump would be on the west side of the complex, and the pole vault and j avelin would take place on the east side of the complex. In both concepts,the long and triple jump pits would be on the north side of the complex next to the tennis courts, there would be portable bleachers along the south side of the complex near the softball field and a shade structure next to the Town Pool, and the dimensions for the multi- 2 purpose athletic field located inside the track would be 195' wide x 348' long. A layout of an 8-lane track at the site was also presented. Mr. O'Connell and Ms. Buczynski explained that an 8-lane track would be problematic as it would impact the mature trees located on the southeast side of the complex, the tennis courts along the northeast side of the complex (including the light pole for the tennis lights being located on the track), the long/triple jump areas along the north side of the complex, the portable bleachers along the south side of the complex, and the parking lot and potentially the mature trees located next to the Town Pool. The presentation concluded with a review of the throwing events being located on the practice field along Worthen Road. After the initial presentation was given, members in the audience made comments and asked questions about the proposed concepts. During this portion of the meeting, the following items were discussed: • Track Layout&Elements o Members of the audience advocated for an 8-lane track. While there are other playgrounds, tennis courts, and athletic fields throughout the Town, there is only one track. The track programs have had substandard facilities for years. Ms. Buczynski reminded the audience that an 8-lane track would have a significant impact on the mature trees, a loss of parking spaces, and it would be extremely tight at the site. She added that the portable bleachers could not be extended along the entire length due to the lights and that accessibility must be maintained at the site. o To reiterate what was discussed at the previous public meeting, the budget for the project that was approved at Town Meeting is based on a 6-lane track with an 8-lane straightaway. A member of the audience stated that of nine communities in the area, eight of them have a 6-lane track and one has a 6- lane track with and 8-lane straightaway. It was also noted how important it is to maintain the flexibility at the complex to meet the various community needs, especially given renovation or construction of a new Lexington High School in the future. o Naomi Martin, Lexington High School Athletic Director, stated that while the track is a large part of the Center Recreation Complex, she cannot look at the project through the lens of just one sport,but through the lens of the entire athletic department since there are multiple teams that use this site. While she does not see relocating current sports to this field on a regular basis, she does see it being used for playoff games and special events o People discussed the proposed layout of the throwing events at the practice field(shot put, discus,hammer, and javelin). On the layout,javelin would be closest to the football field,discus and hammer would be closest to Worthen Road, and shot put would take place in the area closest to the Center 91 baseball field. While it is not an MIAA-sanctioned event,hammer is currently being thrown at the Center Track Field,which presents safety concerns. The practice field is currently home to the LHS girls ultimate frisbee team in the spring. It was indicated that if the throwing events were moved to the practice field, then one option to consider is moving the LHS girls ultimate frisbee team to the Center Track Field. It was also communicated that if.]avelin moves to the practice field, then there is no need to have a runway at the track. 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 3 • Fencing o The proposed concepts call for a 4' chain link fence that runs the length of the main straightaway and first curve (including the section by the shot put area) as well as by the jumping pits. There will be a post and rail fence located by the curve on the west side of the complex. o Temporary fencing would be installed for events that charge an admission fee. Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs, stated that it is unlikely that MIAA regional meets would be held at a site like this based on the criteria that must be met to be eligible to host a large-scale meet (parking,restrooms, etc.). If the opportunity ever presented itself, then LHS, Recreation and Community Programs, and DPW could work together to secure the site. o The netting system behind the goals would be 20' high and it can be put up or taken down during special events. • Field Playing Surface o A member of the audience asked if snow removal from the field could be included in the warranty. Ms. Buczynski said it would depend if DPW or a contractor would be responsible for snow removal and this can be specified in the bid documents. o Ms. Martin indicated that due to all of the rain this fall, the LHS football teams did not host a home game from October 19th-November 21st due to the field conditions. The new Center Track Field with lights will be a better venue than the current football field. After the public comments ended, the Recreation Committee discussed the proposed layouts for the track. Rick DeAngelis, Chairman of the Recreation Committee,believed that enough information had been gathered through the three public meetings to determine which layout is appropriate. The current track is in disrepair and the pro]ect cannot be delayed to further pursue an 8-lane layout that would require more money and have difficulty fitting at the site. Lisah Rhodes,Vice-Chairman of the Recreation Committee, added that the Center Recreation Complex is a crown jewel of the Town,used by everyone at all hours of the day. She wants to keep the site accessible to all while not impacting or losing any of the elements at the complex, such as the tennis courts. Francesca Pfrommer stressed that the Center Recreation Complex is a multi-use facility. She does not want to sacrifice the shade that the trees provide and going back to Town Meeting to request additional funding would set a bad precedent. Lisa O'Brien echoed much of the same sentiments and expressed the importance of the bleachers both in the short and long term. Mr. DeAngelis stated that a brand new 6 lane track is far better than what is there currently and fits within the proposed budget and space that is available at the site. After a brief discussion, Rick DeAngelis made the following motion: The Recreation Committee moves to approve Concept 2 of the Lexington Center Playfields Track and Field Renovation in which there will be a 6-lane track with an 8-lane straightaway. Francesca Pfrommer seconded the motion. The Recreation Committee voted 4-0 to approve. Melissa Battite said that the final decision on the playing surface of the athletic field(hybrid vs. synthetic turf) and other elements of the project will be voted on at the December Recreation Committee meeting. In the meantime,having the throwing events at the practice field will continue to be explored. 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421 4 The next public meeting on the Center Track and Field Reconstruction Project is scheduled to take place on Wednesday,December 19" at 7:00pm in Room 237 of the Lexington Community Center. The Center Track and Field Reconstruction Project public meeting ended at approximately 8:OOpm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman Assistant Director of Recreation The following documents/exhibits distributed at the meeting are attached: • Lexington Center Playfields— Track and Field Renovation Presentation by Activitas I:`luun following docuunne'nts/e luibits distributed a1,the, unieeling are, attau:hed: Surface, "]II:"ype, Com parison & Cha racterlslic f onsideir Tions Info Sheel Qwovided by Ac ) 39 MARRETT ROAD,LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02421