Dennison Stadium field upgrades

Q: Turf needs to be replaced eventually, and once it is turf it will never be grass. What funding mechanism is in place for maintaining this for the long term?  
A: Long-Term Facilities Maintenance funds will be allocated to maintain.
 

Q: How will the school district address the potential need to raise taxes to deal with COVID-related infrastructure needs, so soon after increasing taxes for the turf project?
A: Currently, the district is not planning to request additional levies in the near future. The next voter-approved referendum request would be to renew the current operating referendum and capital projects levy that are scheduled to expire June 30, 2025.  

Q: Have you requested an extension to the Hennepin County grant in light of the pandemic and potential economic impact on budgets?
A: Hennepin County continues to be a valued supporter and partner in this work.  Within the current timelines, our grant monies will be able to be used fully toward this project.   

Q: Has your consultant recommended construction of a solution 2020-21 due to lack of sports activities needing to use facilities during the pandemic?
A: To date, all MSHSL activities are still scheduled for the 20-21 school year.  St. Anthony Sports Boosters has made modifications due to the pandemic.  Some activities will be temporarily displaced due to construction this fall, spring, and next summer. 

Q: Can you please explain the lease levy process and why the community doesn’t get to vote on a proposal to increase taxes?
A: Per MN Statute 126C.40, the law authorizes school districts to utilize a lease levy, which is determined by K-12 student enrollment, and use this revenue to lease space for instructional and curricular purposes. The maximum amount our school district can authorize through the lease levy is $424,000 per year. In the 2019-20 school year, the school district was utilizing $127,230 in lease levy; the cap is $424,000. Districts can use this levy to lease buildings or land, as well as finance construction projects intended primarily for regular K-12 physical education instructional space and after school activity offerings. While voter approval is not required when financing projects through lease levy, school districts must seek approval from the School Board and the Minnesota Department of Education. For example, by partially financing this project through the annual lease levy, the levy amount is estimated to be $350,000; which remains below our authority of $424,000. It is anticipated the annual tax impact in 2021 for a $250,000 home would be under $3.50 per month.

Q: Will this be a dog-free zone? If so, how will that be enforced?
A: Yes. Signage will be posted that pets are not allowed on the stadium field.

Q: Is the crumb rubber infill safe?
A: Crumb rubber has received significant attention regarding safety.  It is the primary infill used for synthetic turf and many studies have been done regarding its safety for recreational field’s use. 

Q: Is one kind of fill easier to safely dispose of when the field must be replaced?
A: Technologies continue to evolve for synthetic turf, including the ability to reuse and recycle previous materials.  The district will request recycling of its synthetic turf when replacement becomes necessary. 

Q: Injuries seem to increase with artificial turf, what does your data show?
A: Based on data and expert input, the school district anticipates a synthetic turf surface will be safer than the current natural grass field is able to provide for our youth.

Q: Have you talked to students with experience playing/practicing on artificial turf- specifically, about heat exhaustion (artificial turf is known to cause an island of heat) and skin burns from friction on artificial surfaces?
A: Skin burns were more common on previous generations of synthetic turf.  Current versions perform very similarly to natural surfaces.  As is the current practice, team functions on very hot days will continue to be monitored.  If the monitored heat index on the stadium field exceeds levels recommended for use, the field will not be used until conditions return to allowable levels for play.  
Q: Have you considered how having synthetic turf will affect the health of the athletes?
A: Yes. Synthetic turf will provide a safe playing surface for our students, athletes, and community to use. 

Q: How will the district protect the environment with disposal, recycling, runoff, etc.?
A: All permitting for this project for water management will be coordinated through the Rice Creek Watershed. Future turf replacement requests for proposals will include recycling the replaced turf. 

Q: What will community access look like for the track?  
A: Daily access as weather and other scheduled events allows.  

Q: Will the area of long/triple jump, pole vault and shot put be secured when not used by the track team?
A: Yes.

Q: Will this facility only be used by school and city athletic programs? 
A: No - this facility will allow for significant community and youth access, in addition to school programming. 

Q: Will the field be open for community use without reservation? 
A: For casual, recreational use a permit for use will not be required.  Team and group use will require a reservation.  

Q: Will the SAV community be able to use the track and/or bleachers for exercise independently (when there isn’t a game going on)? 
A: Yes. 

Q: Is the area going to be unlocked at all times for the community to use?
A: The field and track will follow Central Park’s hours for use.  

Q: How often will students in K-12 utilize the updated stadium during the school year?
A: Daily, as weather permits. 

Q: Will some athletic groups have priority over others in their access to the stadium complex? Meaning football over track, or high school sports over community sports/classes?
A: Physical education classes have the top priority for use, followed by in-season school activities. With additional use available due to synthetic turf’s durability, Sports Boosters teams, community groups, and the public will also enjoy extended opportunities for access.

Q: Will it be able to be used for various school-related activities, such as track-and-field day?
A: Yes - maximizing efficient and safe use of the facility will guide scheduling efforts.