1984-05-21(II) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Gene German, Dire~t~?~.~.:~rks and Recreation, stated that the many softball teams were negatively impacting on neighborhood parks, that 62% of the persons involved in softball were non-City residents, and that he did not feel the City could continue the program at its present level. On a question from Mr. Buck regarding options available, Mr. German stated that play Could be limited to City residents and games could be curtailed in some of the neighborhood parks. Mr. Gary O~'Connell, Assistant City Manager, stated that City staff had been working with Albemarle County staff on the idea of a regional sports complex which would include softball fields which could also be used for other sports. The preliminary study showed that a site between 50 and 100 acres would be needed, and initial costs were estimated to be $1.1 million, but that there was the possibility of receiving a State grant for part of the expenses. Mr. O'Connell added that a site in the County on the urban fringes would be preferable. Mr. O'Connell stated there h~d been no commit- ment from Albemarle County on the sports complex. Mr. Buck stated that he felt it was necessary to preserve the integrity of the City's neighborhoods and parks· Mr. Buck encouraged County residents to let the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors know that the sports complex should be made a high priority, because without a commi, tment from the County he would support radically limiting County plarticipation. Dr. Gunter indicated her support of Mr. Buck's statement, adding that she felt that similar situations could occur in the future with other sports such as tennis. .On motion by Dr. Gunter, seconded by Dr. Hall, the~resolution endorsing the sports complex proposal'was unanimously ~pproved· · by Council· WHEREAS, the need exists for a City-Couhty recreation facility tha~ provides adequate ballfield and recreational areas for the citizens of Charlottesville and Albemarle County; and WHEREAS, a study has been completed that indicates the feasibility of a joint City-County ~sports complex; and WHEREAS, the .softball program of the City of Charlottesville is lacking in adequate facilities, with overcrowding at,neighborhood parks, which results in undue pressures in the City's neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, since more than half of the softball players in the Charlottesville program are citizens of the COunty of Albemarle, and thus it seems reasonable for a cooperative p~ogram to be developed that meets the recreat'ion needs of Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents- and , WHEREAS~ it is deemed likely that County residents' participation in the Charlottesville softball~program ~ill of necessity have t~ be reduced in the future if more ballfields do not soon become available for use; and WHEREAS, grant monies for such a facility may be available from the State Department Of Parks and Recreation, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Council of the City of Charlott~ complex PropOsal as ~resented in a ~ the City an~ CoUnty staffs, and agr~ half matching share of the projeet'~ million. sville endorses the sports eport prepared jointly by es to contribute its one- estimated cost of $1.1 The City-Council ·formally requests tlhe County of Albemarle to participate in the develOpment of..s~ch a sports complex, with the intent that such a development ~oUld be. completed fSr play in the spring of 1986, which necessitates immediate action on the project. A copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors for their consideration.