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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm. 05/07/2025May 7, 2025 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes ECFIVD U.V N CLFRKS OFFICE 1 .r In attendance of the Select Board Meeting for purpose of discussA?5 JUN - U P j N i "AN''SFIFL0 Attendees Present: Mitch Bregnard; Chairman, Linda McCabe; C191c Ed Westhaver, Chris Leard, Patrick Latchaw Sherri Gurnon; Director Mansfield Parks & Recreation Mary Selhrer; Assistant Director Parks & Recreation • Ashley Smith- Mansfield Youth Lacrosse At 7:26pm, the Recreation Commissioners, Sherri Gurnon and Mary Sellner, were called upon by the Select Board to address a complaint regarding field space distribution and the renewal of the Mansfield Youth Soccer License. Ashley Smith began the conversation by explaining Youth Lacrosse's concern with field availability in Town. Due to the changes with the MHS fields, it has been increasingly challenging to get field space at the high school. She mentioned that since MHS is being protective of their fields, they are not getting use of the MHS fields as they have in the past. Ms. Smith noted that the MYL program is growing and because of that, they are scrambling for field permits. She was hoping to get designated field space to avoid confusion with referees and teams as to where they are playing. Ms. Smith summarized by stating, "What can we do to partner with Mansfield Parks and Recreation and the Town of Mansfield to figure out a sustainable model with lacrosse and soccer to coexist and grow together". Sherri Gurnon responded by stating that Mansfield Parks and Recreation begins accepting field and facility permit applications each January 1. The field priority list for Facility Reservations Policy was adopted by the Mansfield Recreation Commission, January 28, 2003. 1. Mansfield Parks & Recreation Department 2. Mansfield School Department 3. Non -Profit 4. For -Profit The Recreation Commission reviews each permit application for approval. • Recreation Commission Meeting- January 28, 2025 Commission voted to approve Mansfield Youth Boy's Lacrosse Upper & Lower Memorial Park/Hutchason Field permit request in full with the exception 5:00-6:OOpm Monday through Thursday - Boy's Lacrosse was permitted 60 field hours per week, withholding 12 hours due to a permit conflict Boy's Lacrosse returned 14 field homy per week that were no longer needed Recreation Commission Meeting- February 25, 2025 Commission voted to approve Mansfield Youth Girl's Lacrosse Plymouth Street Field permit request in full. - Girl's Lacrosse was permitted 21 field hours per week - Girl's Lacrosse returned 9 field hours per week that were no longer needed Brendan Roche, Select Board Member, questioned that once field renovations are completed by the high school, will this resolve the problem. Sherri Gurnon stated Mansfield Parks and Recreation has no jurisdiction in the permitting of high school fields, only MHS permits school fields. Brendan Roche continued by asking Ashley Smith if MYL's concern, going forward, that there will not be enough space allocated to MYL with what currently being allocated or what the question that is being asked of the Select Board. Ashley Smith asserted that MYL is looking for a planned approach to field space because in the last couple of years it has been a scramble to get fields as the high school takes away their use of the high school fields. MYGL would like to have 2-3 permanent fields set aside for their home location. Brendan Roche summarized that what the MYGL is looking for is a specific, designated field. Ms. Smith agreed with Mr. Roche and continued by saying MYGL would like to pursue and work with Parks and Recreation and leverage use of the Plymouth Street fields more than they have in the past. She went on to state that she wants to initiate the conversation. Mike Ahern was invited to speak on behalf of the Town Contract with MYS. Mike Ahern, Operations Manager for the Town of Mansfield, began by stating that MYS approached the Town of Mansfield regarding a licensing agreement in July 2010. MYS intended to offer a large financial contribution to build a turf field at Plymouth Street. That agreement expired and MYS approached Mr. Ahern and Sherri Gurnon requesting another licensing agreement to expand capital improvement projects, Mike Ahern explained that we wor and Town Counsel to put together an agreement that has been submitted for review. Mr. Ahern continued by informing the Select Board that there are back parcels of land at Plymouth Street that are available to any group who may be interested in entering into an additional capital improvement licensing agreement. Walter Wilk mentioned he worked on the first agreement with MYS. He continued by indicating that MYS came with $500,000 and took out a loan for another $500,000 to construct a turf field. At the time, Mansfield Youth Groups were asked if they were would like to contribute to the project, no groups were interested. MYS was then offered first right of refusal. Ashley Smith asserted that back when lacrosse and football didn't assist, the lacrosse program was in a very different place than it is now. MYL is open to looking into how we make this work for the long term in establishing a dedicated field space to grow the program. Walter Wilk mentioned that since MYS will be replacing the turf field, maybe MYL can piggy back to assist in constructing the back fields. Mr. Wilk asked if MYGL has worked with MYS regarding the field issue. Ashley Smith confirmed MYS has worked with MYL, but Lacrosse would like to have to dedicated fields. MYL would be interested in investing in the space as needed to ensure field space. Mike Trowbridge, Select Board Member, commented that baseball and soccer built and paid for their own complex. It will be difficult to cone up with a home unless lacrosse is willing to partner with the Town to develop a long-term plan. Ed Westhaver spoke about how hard fields were to get when his children played baseball. Mr. Westhaver stated the Commission is opening up Plymouth Street for multi -sport usage. Change can be difficult by those that have always who perceived it to be for only one use. The Recreation Commission has assured MYL they will have field space. Diana Breit, Select Board Member, acknowledged that she is aware of how difficult field permitting can be due to the large number of programs in town. Ms. Bren stated she was glad MYL brought this to light. Brendan Roche concluded by stating, going forward, MYL should plan to work with Mike Ahern to develop a capital funding project. Also, team up with Mansfield Parks and Recreation to determine the best field space designation. MYL is also invited to provide feedback in the Open Space and Recreation Development plan. Discussion with the Select Board, Parks & Recreation Department/Commission, and Mansfield Youth Lacrosse ended 7:52pm. Respec fully.Sub pitted, ba,,L-'h�Ab _J q IRS�' Linda M abe Da Recreation Commission Clerk