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i <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 5, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. '7 - q <br />SUBJECT: Potential Artificial Soccer Surface Report <br />DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Project Information Sheet <br />Site Plan <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Lori Taft, 245-2660 <br />PURPOSE: To provide a report to the Board to determine if there is continued interest in this <br />project; and if so, to consider the next steps. <br />BACKGROUND: Members of the Board may recall that in the late 90's, during the planning of <br />Smith Middle School the Town of Carrboro, through the Mayor's office, formally requested <br />Orange County's assistance in providing an additional field at this location for use by the <br />community. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed, with Chapel Hill- <br />Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS), Carrboro and Orange County as partners. Carrboro and <br />Orange County each contributed $75,000 to the project. In 2005, Orange County provided an <br />additional $133,561 in 2001 voter approved bond funding for the installation of athletic field <br />lighting at the two fields. <br />During discussions with soccer leaders last spring, the idea of installing artificial surfaces on a <br />soccer field was discussed. The soccer leaders identified Smith Community Field as an ideal <br />site. Interest by the Board members present led the Manager to direct staff to pursue the idea. <br />The general consensus among field management professionals and in the player community is <br />that artificial surfaces are excellent. These surfaces extend playing time and reduce operating <br />costs. The products available have improved in the last 30 years, reducing injury concerns. <br />Partners in the 2001 MOU for the Smith fields have agreed that the project would be beneficial <br />(Carrboro and CHCCS). However neither party had discretionary funding to contribute to the <br />project. The partners have agreed to MOU amendments to allow for additional community use <br />of Field 3a (school field), with the specific details to be determined. <br />