12-13-1999 Special Meeting r Meeting Minutes from December 13, 1999
Parks& Recreation Committee
Special Board Meeting regarding the field layout for Hancock Park
People in attendance Bob Beasley, Mike Lausier, Charles Becker, Al Schlazer, Basha
Schlazer, Loretta Lynn, Amy Lesner, and Wayne Saunders
Meeting was called to order at 6 00 p m Amy reviewed the original plans for Hancock
Park and showed the alternative plans that Mike had put together The change in softball
fields was the issue The committee recommended that the fields accommodate as many
needs as possible not just the needs for fast pitch girls 18 and under. The committee
would like to see more(3) adult softball fields at a 285' fence line and (1) youth softball
field at a 200' fence line The original plans were to have(4) 200' softball fields and one
285' adult softball field
Wayne reviewed the planning stages of Hancock Park The needs that were looked at
were Clermont Girls Softball League and South Lake Soccer League when this park was
conceived. These two leagues needed more fields and practice areas
The constraints on the site are water lines, power lines, and topography The engineering
has been done on the site and three grants have been given due to the original plan If the
plans for the fields are altered now there might be even more constraints placed upon the
City Some of the other issues would be that lighting would cost approximately $10,000
more per field The fencing cost would increase at least 50% more. Grading is already
in progress for the four 200' fields The grubbing and grading is being donated by
Clermont Girls Softball There is a 15' difference in grade from the four 200' fields to
the adult softball field The plans for the park would have to be resubmitted to the
County for grant money The City could loose the grant funds they have now if the plans
were changed. The City has received grants based on the plan. One of the suggestions
was to build three adult fields and use fall down fences when the girls play Wayne said
that some of the issues with the fall down fences are that it takes money to purchase the
fences, storage is needed and the labor time involved in set up and take down of the
fence.
The conceptual plan was recommended and approved by this board and the City Council
Permits have already gone through the St Johns Water Authority When the plans were
developed the only adult league was the Senior Men's League
Mike said that the concern for the plan is long-term not short term The question
concerning Mike and the committee was, should the demographics change, could those
fields still be used and meet the needs of the community? Will it still meet the criteria?
These fields will not offer flexibility It does not provide an avenue for other groups
Flexibility is key We do not know what our needs will be in the future The focus
/'` should be on the long run
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Clermont is growing rapidly with more families Clermont Girls Softball and Little
League will continue to grow and need more fields The four 200' softball fields meet
the minimum criteria for girl's fast pitch 18 and under and can also be used by Little
League for practices
Lincoln Groves is a possible 2-acre site for the Lake County School Board and Lake
County government offices. This is where they are discussing the building of a library
and fire station A New High School and County Complex is planned along with a 60-
acre recreation site. The possible sites are Lake Idamere or the Fair Grounds in Eustis
The funds would be coming from the para-mutual fund This park would possibly fill the
needs for adult softball and soccer Lost Lake Reserve, next to Lost Lake Elementary
School, will have a 300' adult softball field The South Lake Hospital will be building 3
soccer fields and this will fill the needs for the Soccer League The community needs
could be met through different avenues such as the City, County, and donation of land
and facilities from developers/builders and the hospital
Basha stated that there needs to be a plan, get it initiated, finish the plan, and then use the
facility for its' intended purpose
Mike asked Wayne if the Parks&Recreation board could be more involved in the
development process for future parks Wayne said that he would like the committee's
opinion regarding all aspects of Parks& Recreation
T
Wayne agreed with the need for flexibility with the fields The younger generation and
the leagues will always use the fields that are being built
A motion was called to rescind the previous motion regarding Hancock Park and move
forward with the plan that has four 200' softball fields and one 285' adult softball field
Bob Beasley motioned and Loretta Lynn seconded it The motion passed by a vote 5 1
Wayne said that he appreciated the work that this board has put into the parks and
recreation and hopes this committee will actively continue to be a part of the City's Parks
and Recreation
Meeting adjourned at 6 30 p m.