Officials from Fort Thomas Independent Schools and the city of Fort Thomas met formally on Tuesday to catch up on planned projects and collaborations. High on the list was discussion of a planned athletic complex in Tower Park.
The school district is planning an extensive revamp and upgrade of the current Tower Park soccer field and track that could include a field house, indoor restrooms, improved access and parking. Although it is a school-led and funded project, changes to the complex would involve some changes to Sergeant Avenue as it enters the facility area and some property swaps with the city.
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The two entities have signed a memorandum of agreement outlining their cooperation and noting that land swaps and property line adjustments will happen after the complex is completed. At a recent council meeting, city administrator Matt Kremer noted that holding off on property line changes will help the project move forward without delay and make a smoother transition after completion.
Overall, the amount of land owned by the city and the school will remain about the same. The city will contribute $517,000 toward the project. Officials have asked the district to give the park’s smaller South Park soccer field to the city as part of the deal.
Phase one: preparing the way
The overall cost of the complex is unknown, but bids are in for the first phase, said Fort Thomas Superintendent Brian Robinson. A bid has not yet been approved, but the lowest bid for phase one came in at $1,530,000. The first phase involves building retaining walls, movement of utilities, road work, sidewalks, sewer lines and similar preparations.
Robinson said part of phase one will be to do a closer estimation of the final project plan and to secure funding for phase two.
“I can’t overstate that there is a significant investment on behalf of the school district in this area for good reason. The city has been an amazing partner financially and logistically in a collaborative spirit, and it’s super appreciated. We’re seeking private partnerships that will do some advertising with us as well,” Robinson said.
Over the next 30 days, the district will solidify some partnerships, Robinson said. The district is reaching out for state funding as well.
“I also want to thank and recognize Representative [Mike] Clines who is here…We are very blessed to have had an advocate in our district region… Really, one of the final parts that will make this dream a reality is if we get partnership through the state legislature,” said Robinson.
The funding comes from serval sources, some from the city and the school’s partnership as well as around a million dollars in private donations, “and then the vast majority of that would come from our bonding capacity,” Robinson said.
During phase one, the district will address timing considerations and how phase two might affect upcoming soccer and track seasons. Right now, phase one work will not affect the playing field, and so it will be open for play next summer. Decisions for subsequent seasons will be made once phase two planning is complete.
Time for a revamp
Robinson noted the soccer field has undergone several iterations over the years, from a dirt field to grass to turf installed about 12 years ago. When the space was first acquired, the schools didn’t have a soccer team.
“A turf facility has about a 10-year lifespan, and that’s where we’re at. In that period of time, we’ve talked about the limitations that are there. There’s not a locker room facility for students to shelter in during inclement weather… they use the restroom on the other side of the field if they need to do so. There’s not training facilities. It is not handicap accessible for family members to be able to connect with. It is limited in size so our track events are limited to really small meets,” he said.
Parking is also an issue that Robinson hopes this new design will eliminate, “The frogger events you go through in order to drop off your kids. And it is utilized by a whole variety of community members.”
Phase two: a community facility
The phase two renderings show a large field house facility with a design that reflects that of other buildings in Tower Park.
Kremer said he discussed the plans for the renovated complex with the school district, urging them to consider how it will fit into the overall look and feel of the park.
“I talked about making it feel like Tower Park, like Fort Thomas…making it look less like just a stadium and more like it belongs here,” Kremer said. “And a week later, he [Robinson] brought this in and I was like, holy cow…This is what I meant, and I just think it’s awesome.”
Robinson agreed the changes brought forth in discussions with Kremer and city officials helped make the project one for the entire community. At Kremer’s suggestion, the bathroom facilities were brought up to the front of the building so community members would have access. The new bathrooms will stay open while the park is open, not just during events. When school events are not taking place, community members would have access to the track and other facilities during park hours as well.
One side of the building will have locker rooms. It will include indoor turf and provide a multi-use space for other sports, such as the dance and wrestling teams. Officials expect the facility to be in use throughout the year by a number of school programs.
With the launch of phase one, the clock is ticking for the 30 days of preparation. Work is underway with the sanitation district and the city while school officials work on partnerships and funding for the project.