Fairhope, Alabama
Update: Bob Keyser of the Fairhope Soccer Club told the city council that the Fall Halloween tournament will be held at the complex after all; portable restroom and concession trailers will be brought in.
FUNDING SHORTFALL
According to recreation department director Sullivan, the Manley Road soccer complex will not be completed for Fall tournaments in October, as was hoped.
At least an additional $600K is needed to finish it: construct restrooms, concession stands, and other amenities.
Using yearly land rent from its lessees, directors of the private Fairhope Single Tax Corporation recently voted to provide only half of that amount; the additional $300K will have to made up from other sources, possibly from the city itself.
The city council began discussing the possibility of additional funding at its last work session.
SINGLE TAX CORP. CONCERNS
The FSTC considered providing the whole amount at one time, but decided to fund a new parking lot and more landscaping behind the library instead (for about $450K) with their limited yearly funds.
When asked about it by a Times reporter, FSTC president Turner questioned the wisdom of not including the cost of basic facilities like restrooms in the original design costs.
Bleachers for the fields, especially the two championship ones, will be another big additional cost, according to the mayor.
Portable facilities (restrooms) could be brought is so that the fields could be used sooner for practice sessions, at least.
City employees could help with more in-kind services too (time permitting), such as installing utility services and irrigation.
PRIVATE FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY
The Fairhope Soccer Club (click) is currently conducting a fundraiser to raise money for goals, nets and other miscellaneous equipment -- click.
Mayor Kant told the Times it may be less costly to just provide the funds to the private soccer club and let them finish the project themselves -- instead of the city doing it and being subjected to costly extra regulations that only apply to governments.
Update: Bob Keyser of the Fairhope Soccer Club told the city council that the Fall Halloween tournament will be held at the complex after all; portable restroom and concession trailers will be brought in.
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| Manley Rd. Fairhope Soccer Complex |
FUNDING SHORTFALL
According to recreation department director Sullivan, the Manley Road soccer complex will not be completed for Fall tournaments in October, as was hoped.
At least an additional $600K is needed to finish it: construct restrooms, concession stands, and other amenities.
Using yearly land rent from its lessees, directors of the private Fairhope Single Tax Corporation recently voted to provide only half of that amount; the additional $300K will have to made up from other sources, possibly from the city itself.
The city council began discussing the possibility of additional funding at its last work session.
SINGLE TAX CORP. CONCERNS
The FSTC considered providing the whole amount at one time, but decided to fund a new parking lot and more landscaping behind the library instead (for about $450K) with their limited yearly funds.
When asked about it by a Times reporter, FSTC president Turner questioned the wisdom of not including the cost of basic facilities like restrooms in the original design costs.
Bleachers for the fields, especially the two championship ones, will be another big additional cost, according to the mayor.
Portable facilities (restrooms) could be brought is so that the fields could be used sooner for practice sessions, at least.
City employees could help with more in-kind services too (time permitting), such as installing utility services and irrigation.
PRIVATE FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY
The Fairhope Soccer Club (click) is currently conducting a fundraiser to raise money for goals, nets and other miscellaneous equipment -- click.
Mayor Kant told the Times it may be less costly to just provide the funds to the private soccer club and let them finish the project themselves -- instead of the city doing it and being subjected to costly extra regulations that only apply to governments.
Comments
I say to the soccer folks: BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME