Schools

Fields Plan: What Are the Projected Costs?

The superintendent says every possible part of athletic upgrades at the high schools is up for negotiation.

with whether are needed at Parsippany and Parsippany Hills high schools—and if so, what taxpayers can afford.

Right now, if the projections of all items the Parsippany is investigating are included, the cost would run in the neighborhood of $11.5 million.

That figure is considerably more than the $4.5 million projected for the defunct Fields of Dreams plan backed by Mayor James Barberio and youth sports groups earlier this year.

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However, the superintendent told residents at a special BOE meeting last Wednesday that were all the items to be okayed, the plan was to create multipurpose athletic facilities that would serve the district and township for 25 years. If approved, construction would start in or after the new school year.

Seitz said, however, that the items presented are possibilities, and nothing is set in stone. He reminded residents that citizen input is vital to the process of deciding what items will be part of the plan the district wants to put before voters on a January 2013 referendum. 

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So, what items are on the table for residents' consideration?

The following lists, covering both high schools, was prepared for the school board by Parette Somjen Architects.

ATHLETIC FIELD UPGRADE ITEMS ESTIMATED COST 6-Lane Track converted to 8 Lanes $1,338,260 Convert grass field to synthetic turf $1,584,149 ADA compliant parking stalls, wheelchair ramp $   132,781 ADA compliant home grandstands, press box upgrade $   645,462 ADA compliant visitor grandstands and ramps $   276,627 Concession upgrade, sanitary sewer construction $     73,767 Public restrooms, sanitary sewer extension * $   381,130 New fencing $   170,894 Modernized sports lighting $   479,486 Water cannon system $   416,784 Wireless sound system (press box) included above Locker room addition to concession stand/restrooms included above Emergency lighting included above TOTAL of preliminary PHHS cost estimates $5,499,340

ATHLETIC FIELD UPGRADE ITEMS ESTIMATED COST 6-Lane Track Converted to 8 Lanes $1,254,174 Convert grass field to synthetic turf $1,493,298 Replace visitor grandstands, make ADA compliant $   272,389 ADA compliant parking stalls, wheelchair ramp $   312,945 ADA compliant home grandstand, press box $   635,575 Concession upgrade, sanitary sewer construction
$    72,637 Public restrooms, sanitary sewer extension * $   375,292 Storm water management system (for drainage) included above New fencing $   168,276 Sports lighting upgrade $   496,354 Wetlands investigation included above Water cannon system $   429,770 Wireless sound system (press box) included above Locker rooms included above Emergency lighting included above TOTAL of preliminary PHS cost estimates $5,507,710

* Connection fees for sewer and water may apply and are not included in these projections

What do you think? Which items are must-haves? Which can the town do without? Let us know in comments.


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