Title
Schussler Park Turf Field Hours
History
The Michael Schofield lll Sports Complex, with two full-size artificial football fields opened on June 8, 2024.
The field have been extremely popular with youth organizations, as well as residents on a drop-in basis. Since it's opening, the new Complex has hosted over 380 rentals. Drop-in users utilize the fields daily during unscheduled periods from early morning to late in the evening including when field lights are off. Field lights are utilized during scheduled use only and are turned off after the last user consistent with Ordinance 3-1-11-1 which states:
The Village parks shall be open each day from daybreak until nine o'clock 9:00 P.M., except parks with lights and parks wherein Departmentally scheduled and supervised activities are occurring. Lighted parks shall close at ten thirty o'clock 10:30 P.M., and all ballflield lights shall be extinguished not later than ten forty five o'clock 10:45 P.M.
No person or his property shall remain in a park after nine o'clock 9:00 P.M. unless:
1. He is in a lighted park and remains no later than ten thirty o'clock 10:30 P.M.; or
2. He is participating in a Departmentally scheduled and supervised activity; or
3. He has been granted special written permission hereunder. (Ord. 1650,3-2-87)
Prior to the renovation of Schussler Park, the footprint now occupied by the turf fields routinely endured vandalism including damage caused by vehicles. The Village has made a significant investment to build the Schofield Complex. In a proactive effort to protect the fields, staff have begun locking all field gates at 9 p.m., reopening at 7 a.m. daily.
In the off-season, November through March, Village Athletic Fields are not scheduled for use. As such, Athletics Division staff which normally prepare, and secure fields are not present.
Rather than schedule staff to work evenings and weekends to close the Schussler turf fields at 9 p.m. which would result in additional staff expenses, as well as exhaust available budgeted staff hours more quickly, staff propose setting operating hours for the Schussler turf field at 7 a.m. to sunset, or until the last rental is complete, seven days per week, year-round.
The turf fields may be scheduled during the off-season as weather conditions permit and will be opened/closed accordingly. Drop-in users would be allowed to use the fields 7 a.m. to sunset as weather conditions allow.
The Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved setting Schussler turf hours at 7 a.m. - sunset year-round during the November 5, 2024 meeting.
Staffing the fields until 9 p.m. daily to close would result in an estimated cost of $21,902.
Financial Impact
Adopting a 7 a.m. - sunset operational schedule will result in an estimated savings of $21,902.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve adopting operational hours for the Schussler Park turf fields of 7 a.m. - sunset, or until the conclusion of the last rental, 7 days per week year-round.