Youth Field Ballot Question FAQ

09/20/06

This FAQ was put together by the Johnson County Parks and Rec Department about the upcoming vote on youth fields to be built in Johnson County.

Read, cut, paste, and pass along to everyone you know.

PROPOSED JOHNSON COUNTY YOUTH SOCCER PARK
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Q: Why does Johnson County need additional soccer fields?

No child should be denied the opportunity to play soccer. Especially in a county that ranks as one of the Top 10 soccer communities per capita in the United States. Even so, the number of practice and game fields currently available in Johnson County falls significantly short of existing needs as evidenced by the poor conditions of these overused facilities. Last year, 19,000 games were played on the current inventory of 80 sub-standard fields. To be able to accommodate the growing needs of approximately 46,000 youth between the ages of 4 and 18 who already enjoy the benefits of soccer in Johnson County, a minimum of 20 fields must be constructed as soon as possible.

2. Q:Who will be the primary users of the youth Soccer Park?

The Soccer Park will be programmed 300+ days each year. Eighty percent of its usage will be by Johnson County youth for league practices and games. These players will represent recreational and competitive leagues and clubs from throughout Johnson County.

3. Q:Where did the plan for the youth Soccer Park originate?

For a number of years, the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District and the youth soccer community have separately and cooperatively explored solutions to the increasing shortage of soccer fields in Johnson County. In 2002, Kansas Governor Bill Graves created a Johnson County Soccer Stadium and Complex Task Force that commissioned a feasibility study by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL), a leading advisory and planning firm specializing in providing consulting services to the sports, entertainment and leisure industries. The study, which recommended a major league soccer stadium with 20 adjacent championship-quality fields, was unanimously supported by the 25-member task force. In 2005, the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation and community stakeholders commissioned CSL to re-evaluate the previous study. The resulting findings were consistent with the 2002 study and recommended up to 30 championship-quality fields to accommodate the growing youth needs in Johnson County. Johnson County Commissioner David Lindstrom, who also serves on the Johnson County Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners, assembled and led a group of civic leaders to further analyze the 2005 CSL findings. This Johnson County leadership group, with its broad and diverse set of skills and experience, unanimously endorsed CSL’s findings and presented them to the Board of County Commissioners in December 2005. On August 28, 2006, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to place a referendum on the November 7, 2006, ballot to determine if the District should issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $75 million for the acquisition and development of the proposed youth Soccer Park.

4. Q:Who will own and operate the youth Soccer Park?

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District will construct, own and operate the youth Soccer Park. Separately, the City of Overland Park, Kansas, will construct and own the professional stadium with an operating lease agreement with the Kansas City Wizards ownership group.

5. Q:What made the site under consideration the ideal location?

The 140-acre site at 167th Street and 69 Highway will maximize the taxpayers’ investment through reduced infrastructure costs for roads, parking and utilities. In addition, the collective synergy of the championship youth soccer fields, professional soccer stadium and unique retail development better serves the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s ability to attract and successfully operate regional and national tournaments.

6. Q:If approved by the voters, will any of the funds go toward the professional soccer stadium?

No. Statutorily the Johnson County Park and Recreation District can issue debt through general obligation bonds solely for land acquisition and development for parks and recreation purposes. The $75 million in general obligation bonds will be dedicated exclusively to the youth Soccer Park.

7. Q:Will the youth Soccer Park be built even if a stadium for the Kansas City Wizards is not?

Yes. With voter approval on November 7, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District will proceed with the development of a youth Soccer Park whether it is adjacent to a professional soccer stadium or not.

8. Q:If voters approve this issue, will it increase my taxes?

Yes. The Johnson County Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners would levy an additional .693 mills beginning in 2007. As a result, the owner of the average Johnson County home valued at $238,000 would pay an additional $18.48 annually. The bonds would be retired in 2027.

9. Q:What economic impact will the youth Soccer Park have on the local economy as a result of regional and national tournaments?

Two different independent studies have estimated there will be a significant impact on the Johnson County economy. The most recent projections indicate $36 million will be generated annually by out-of-town participants and families involved in tournaments. In just over two years it is estimated these guests will generate revenues exceeding the youth Soccer Park’s acquisition and development costs.

10. Q:Why does the youth Soccer Park cost $75 million?

After careful consideration and very deliberate study, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District and a volunteer civic leadership group determined the youth Soccer Park should be of the finest quality in the United States to ensure its successful operation without additional taxpayer assistance. The estimated costs for the development of such a facility are:
Soccer Fields = $30,416,600
Site work, drainage, soccer fields with natural and synthetic surfaces, lighting, irrigation, and scoreboards.
Buildings and Grounds = $22,901,600
Concessions, restrooms, maintenance building, landscaping, parking, sidewalks, fencing and community facilities.
Infrastructure = $4,862,700
Roads, utilities and all permits.
Land Acquisition = $16,819,100
The above estimates are preliminary and subject to change as additional engineering and architectural design is completed. The land acquisition cost is subject to market value appraisal. It is important to note, however, the project will not exceed $75 million.

11. Q:Will fees be charged to use the youth Soccer Park?

Yes. Just as is the current practice on all fields operated by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, fees will be charged for leagues, tournaments and practices. Since the implementation of an Enterprise Budget for the operation of its recreation programs and services in the 1980’s, the District has received national recognition for its fee-support practices. One hundred percent of the Soccer Park’s maintenance and operating costs, including future capital replacement expenditures such as lights, artificial turf and equipment, will be covered by usage fees.

12. Q:Why not spread the fields out across the county?

In order to meet national tournament requirements, at least 20 fields must be located on the same site. In addition, operational costs would increase significantly if the fields were spread throughout the county.

13. Q:How will young soccer players and teams from northeast and northwest Johnson County benefit from the Soccer Park located in the Blue Valley area?

All soccer teams in Johnson County will be given the opportunity to practice and/or play at the youth Soccer Park. Even if a team chooses not to use the facility it will benefit from a reduced demand on the limited number of over-used game and practice fields it currently shares with other teams.

14. Q:How many years would this project meet our growing soccer needs?

It is estimated the youth Soccer Park, with its unique design features, will meet the game field needs of the Johnson County soccer community for the next 20+ years.

15. Q:What is a “championship” quality field and how does it differ from other fields in Johnson County?

For the most part, the District’s current fields are unimproved farm ground leveled to accommodate soccer and other park activities. The proposed championship-quality fields will be built to national standards and will include “state-of-the-art” design, irrigation, lighting, drainage, concessions, restrooms and parking at appropriate spectator ratios. A majority of the fields will have synthetic turf to allow safe play even during inclement weather.

16. Q:Why was the issue placed on the November ballot rather than a Special Election ballot at a later date?

By being part of the General Election this November, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District will have the opportunity to hear from the greatest number of voters – both pro and con – regarding this important issue. This will ensure the final decision is representative of the majority of Johnson County taxpayers.