Memorial Field Repairs

In a past blog, I mentioned the work being done at Memorial Field.  Repairs to the parking lot, baseball press box and the replacement of the concession stand. I also stated that I was disappointed that once again the decision to move forward with a project was a done deal, before the public hearing and the vote to appropriate the funding. I mention this because before the city council's budget vote on June 20, that would appropriate the funding for the work at the field, equipment and materials to repair and replace the parking lot had already been stock piled. 

I have recently been told that the money for repairs to the drainage pipes and catch basins came from a different account that had already been approved. But then why did the items in the CIP for repairs to the parking lot state that there will be regrading, paving and repairs to drainage systems from funding that hadn’t been approved, only to be told later that they are being paid for using different accounts. And when I testified about my concerns at the city council meeting why was it that not one councilor, the mayor or anyone from the city’s staff offered a correction? 

While it is obvious that the parking lot (and much of the rest of the facility) is in dire need of repairs, this is something that has been known for years. In 1990, a study was commissioned to determine our community's recreational needs going forward into the 21st century. In that report it noted the need for some major facility improvements at Memorial Field. And here we are 23 years later and we still don't have a master plan for Memorial Field. And 23 years later we are just getting around to making safety improvements. 

So here’s some good news..sort of. While the contractor was working on the parking lot they noticed that the ground was moving while the were compacting it. The goods news is (that unlike when the clay tennis courts were paved over) the city and contractor took corrective measures. They laid down matting that is designed to help stabilize the base and prevent or minimize the pavement from cracking.  They also replaced a catch basin that had sunk over 1 1/2 feet over the last 100 years or so. And they will be relining the pipes that enter and exit the catch basin. And while there are added costs involved, the project is not expected to go over budget.

This is a big improvement in how the city has sometimes managed past projects. Hopefully as the city moves forward with maintenance, repairs and new projects this will become the norm and not the exception.

But while the city is spending our money to make necessary repairs, no one can tell us if these repairs and upgrades will meet the long term goals of Memorial Field, because there are no long term goals. So while we are spending $400,000 today, we don't know if that is for a short term fix that will be torn up in a few years of if the repairs will - by dumb luck - fit into a future long term plan. 

And here's what's even more, frustrating. All of our other parks have master plans or at one time had funding available for long term planning. But not Memorial Field. Not the facility that attracts visitors from throughout the state and New England. And not for the facility that for many who visit Concord, is their first impression of our city. 

 So does it make sense to pay $400,000, for repairs to the field? No one knows. No one knows whether we should be making short term repairs for considerably less, or planning on spending significantly more to meet the future needs of our community. 

So like the Complete Streets project, rather then determine if it will work before we complete the project, we have no clue. And how is this different then the bump outs and chicanes fiasco on Downing Street? And how is this different then the ill planned Capital Commons garage? 

So when I testified at the city council meeting that I was concerned that spending $400,000, to make repairs to the existing facility without a master plan may not be the most prudent approach in moving forward when repairing and upgrading the Memorial Field facility, my concerns once again fell on deaf ears.