03-02-1992 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 2, 1992 OBA USE OF BEDERWOOD PARK - CONT. Gary Larson , OBA representative , was present . He indicated that since the last Commission meeting , the proposal for the hockey association to relocate the arena further westward had not met with approval . The hockey association felt the move would cost an additional $20 , 000 in grading . Larson stated that Neil Lawson , Orono schools, contacted him and indicated the School Board wished the arena to be located on the site as far eastward as possible, which was the original plan . He felt there would be an increase in grading costs for the ball fields, and noted that he and Gerhardson would be meeting with the contractor to obtain a base price for the work . Johnston noted he had attended the joint meeting of the park commissions and felt frustrated and angry upon leaving . He stated the hockey association was unwilling to work with the other organizations on any part of the plan and felt the information supplied by the hockey association ' s architect may have been misleading . He felt the cost of grading for the ball parks will be expensive, and noted the fields will be confined to 200 ' depth , which are adequate for little league but inadequate for any other league play. He noted that he would not be willing to spend City funds on ball fields with only one use. Vongries asked why the School Board felt the arena should be located eastward . He felt it should be determined what the best use of the property is and most affordabte way to use the property. Johnston explained that with the ball fields in the original site, there was no room for expansion of the fields . He also noted that the hockey association cited poor soils as the reason for the rejection of the plan . The unacceptable fill is 3 ' in the southwest corner of the proposed arena. He noted that with the hockey association ' s plan, the ball fields would be developed on property the School District currently has not purchased . Larson noted that Lawson stated that would not be a problem. Bradley suggested that the hockey association get the Planning Commission ' s opinion of their proposal . He stated the Commission may not approve of such use so near the residential property. Gerhardson noted he would set up a meeting between a representative of the hockey association , Planning Commission Chair Kelley, Chair Flint , Johnston and Gerhardson to discuss the proposal . Ilse suggested they include the hockey association ' s architect . 2