Orange County NC Website
Schmitt asked if staff was investigating sources of funding to make these more effective methods <br /> for funding . Stancil noted that each of the jurisdictions have in their capital improvement plans <br /> park facilities plans . As we learned a lot of those plans are not yet funded . There are existing <br /> park bonds in Orange County, and Chapel Hill has open space bonds that are still available . <br /> Grants have been pursued for projects in different jurisdictions, for example : the Little River <br /> Regional park grant approved for Orange and Durham counties . There is a school Park Reserve <br /> Fund that Orange County .has set aside for several years with the possibility of funding <br /> acquisitions that can serve as school/ park co - locations . Land Development/ payments - in - Lieu and <br /> Impact Fees are items from the Assembly of Governments meeting that this group will be asked <br /> to look at . How we deal with these as alternate sources and might be on the next agenda of this <br /> work group . <br /> 3 . Soccer Symposium Task Force Report <br /> Bob Jones reviewed the report noting that the increased citizen interest and participation in the <br /> sport has intensified the use of the limited fields within the county . The County Commissioners <br /> appointed a task force to host a symposium where all interested parties could express concerns . <br /> The charge of the task force provided a broad framework for discussing the issues . <br /> The Task Force distributed basic information on soccer programs, available facilities in Orange <br /> County and collected input from citizens about their needs and concerns relating to soccer and <br /> are listed in the report . The report stated recommendations as follows : <br /> • Fields should be located in a disbursed fashion throughout the county in order to improve <br /> accessibility for all and to reduce travel time . <br /> • There should be multiple fields at each field site so that parents can drop off children of <br /> different ages . <br /> • Fields should be irrigated and lightened , and sited in an environmentally-sensitive manner . <br /> • A promising model for field development is one in which public entities provide basic fields <br /> and soccer organizations finish the facilities . <br /> • A public- private partnership should be established to explore development of a soccer <br /> complex in Orange County, with established soccer interests to take the lead in fundraising <br /> for construction . <br /> • All soccer organizations in the county should collaborate to provide coordinated soccer <br /> programming throughout the county . In this scenario, the county would supply facilities , and <br /> the private organizations would provide programming . <br /> • If county funding is involved , including providing land , scholarships will have to be available <br /> to county residents who cannot afford programming fees . <br /> • Consistent with the Master Recreation and Parks Work Group Report, the acquisition of land <br /> for soccer fields should be included in active recreational areas developed pursuant to future <br /> bond issues . <br /> Discussion followed on possible locations for soccer fields, possible future expansion of Cedar <br /> Grove and Northern Human Services locations, and pro and con issues surrounding co - location <br /> with schools, lighting of school fields, use of school property . Commissioner Brown noted that a <br /> working group is being planned for the two school boards and BOCC to work out some of these <br /> issues . Stancil reported that as a result of the co - location agreement, the new Smith Middle <br /> School in Chapel Hill - Carrboro has additional playing fields in its plans . <br /> 4 . Proposed Chapel Hill Aquatic Facility <br /> Last updated 01 / 11 /01 3 <br /> L : \Carol\IGPWG\IPWG12-7 -OOMinutesdraft . doc <br />