Yesterday, we reported an initiative on the part of the Batavia City School District to pursue a jointly funded "needs assessment" that would look at whether or not the school, the city and the town should consider upgrading and expanding its recreational lands and playing fields. That study would cost $11,000. The school district would pay $5,500, and the town and the city would pay $2,750 each.
School Superintendent Margaret Puzio sent a letter to City Manager Jason Molino in the beginning of September asking him to bring the matter before Council. That matter will go before Council at its meeting tonight. A similar letter was sent to the town, which agreed to pitch in the funds for the study almost immediately.
"We heard from the town right away," said Puzio. "They are on board. They're interested. Just waiting on the city."
Where did this all come from? It turns out that the genesis of the idea came in August when Molino sat down with Puzio and a pair of representatives of Batavia's youth football program to discuss short-term and long-term options to find a home for the program that had then been asked to leave Dwyer Stadium.
Says Puzio:
"The opening conversations happened around the whole youth football issue and trying to find a home for them. The district coincidentally owns some property which we were considering whether to develop as playing fields and a recreation area. But we didn't want to do that without knowing everything that was already available. We wanted to get together with city and town and fund a needs assessment and have somebody take inventory of all the recreation areas in the city and town and see if what we currently have is adequate. Do we need more, or do we already have enough?"
Puzio also mentioned in the letter that she was hoping the city could act quickly in its decision—again, this was over a month ago—as a grant opportunity that could help fund such a recreation expansion will expire in December. She could not tell me just how much money was available, but she could say that the Local Government Efficiency Grant was "money that the state has set aside to support municipalities that work together not to duplicate services." In other words, these are funds used to support municipalities that work together to establish shared services.
There would be no more related costs for the "needs assessment," said Puzio, but if the study found that there was a need to, say, construct a new atheltic field at the school district's North Street property, more funds could be forthcoming from all parties involved.
Thanks to Margaret Puzio for getting back to us so quickly and answering all of our questions.
Those in charge of youth
Those in charge of youth football want to put the league in Kibbe Park, so why is this question still being bantered about. The North Street fields are need for lacrosse and soccer for the school district not a private entity. My son is on the lacrosse team and the field is needed. Even if he never plays on it. He is a senior , but for future players alnong with the soccer teams in the school district do not have fields for practice. If thier is a baseball or softball game at the high school the lacroose has to cancel practice or use the parking lot. this also happens for the multiple levels of soccer, so let the football have what they want, a field and consession stand, at heir cost and lets build the fields needed for the schools.
There would be no more
There would be no more related costs for the "needs assessment," said Puzio, but if the study found that there was a need to, say, construct a new atheltic field at the school district's North Street property, more funds could be forthcoming from all parties involved......I do like the but part...more funds forthcoming from all parties involved.Isn't that code for more taxpayer dollars will be spend on something they cannot afford at this time...
Ward 1, where this is
Ward 1, where this is located, is the only ward without a park. Why doesn't the School board give it to the city and then the city can just mow it. It does not need to be changed, just leave it open for people to walk or run around in. It stays green and the only cost is cutting the grass.
The school board does not need this land. If giving to the city as an open green space is off the table, then sell it so houses can be built and tax money comes in.
I think Mark is right, he smells a rat. It sounds like the school board will soon spend money on that field, which means a school tax hike. If the city and town give some money, the tax rate will look smaller.
Demand you council member demand the city stay out of this unless we get the field for a green space park.