Turning Parkland into Ballfields Would Cost Township $1 Million

Turning a couple of acres in  into ballfields is a possibility for the township, but the field of dreams would cost about $1 million.

When Pine's Board of Supervisors learned that at last night's meeting, the discussion  turned toward priorities and the possibility of adding a pool to Pine Community Center.

Engineer Kevin A. Brett of Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering Inc. outlined a three-year phased  plan to develop about two acres referred to as the Vacco/White property into multipurpose fields that could be used for soccer, lacrosse and football. A 62-space parking lot and landscaping would be added too.

The township acquired the Vacco property last year for between $80,000 and $90,000, township Manager Cheryl Fischer said after the meeting. The White acreage was acquired years ago, she said.

The township's Parks and Recreation Commission has been discussing what to do with the property, which is on Pearce Mill Road at the southeast edge of the park. That panel has not seen the $1 million cost estimate, said Parks and Recreation Director Joni Patsko.

The 105-acre park already has a Pony League field/soccer field, Colt League field/soccer field, two Little League fields/soccer fields, two other soccer fields, two sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, a fishing lake, nature trail, hiking trails, a basketball court and bocce court. It also has a concession stand with restrooms and two pavilions.

When asked about the demand for the current fields, Patsko said they are rented out to the maximum during warm weather. 

Supervisors Vice Chairman Philip D. Henry questioned Patsko about a demand for a pool.

"We get asked every day," Patsko said, regarding whether the community center has plans to add a pool.

Henry has long been a proponent of adding a pool to the community center. He said he believes the center loses a lot of membership business because it lacks a pool.

Chairman Michael Dennehy said he thought the supervisors needed to "get our arms around the $8.5 million we owe on this building," referring to the two-year-old Pine Community Center.

He said the $1 million price tag for the athletic field caught him by surprise, adding that he thought the $8.5 million obligation needed to be "well in hand" before the township accumulates more debt.

When the township gets the debt down to zero, then it can consider adding the pool, said Supervisor Frank Spagnolo.

Supervisor Ted Owen started the pool discussion by asking if developing the parkland into athletic fields would effectively delay construction of a pool in the Pine Community Center

"I don't see a pool in the next three to four years," said Dennehy.

Owen and Henry said they would like to hear what the Parks and Recreation Commission has to say, now that a price tag is attached to the parkland proposal.

The supervisors voted unanimously to send the proposal back to the Parks and Recreation Committee.