Loudon backs high school turf fi

Loudon City Council on Monday approved first reading of an ordinance to amend the 2020-21 budget to install a new turf field at the Loudon High School football stadium.

Ty Ross, Loudon city manager, presented council with the proposal.

“A motivating factor to build the field is to get ahead of the new track that’s being constructed this summer because the construction of a turf field of this type could permanently damage a track, so the time to do it is before the new track’s installation,” Ross said. “Another motivating factor is the fact that the local youth football league is being displaced from ... ‘The Hill’ and would be able to move their games by agreement with the high school to the new turf field. A third and final motivating factor is not just the utility of the field but the look and aesthetic feel that the field will provide to our community. One might call this a signature project of Looking Good Loudon.”

The field will cost an estimated $750,000 and need a second budget amendment approval. Ross said some of the cost could be alleviated by local industry donations.

Tim Brewster, councilman, said current field maintenance costs $2,500 a month. With the savings, LHS could invest in weight rooms and other amenities.

“One question that I was asked, and I was asked to clarify this, is there’s rumors going around that there has to be a (mascot) change to do this,” Tammi Bivens, councilwoman, said. “Has that ever been the case?”

Ross denied any discussion of a stipulation for changing the Redskins team name.

Brewster said he’s confident the city will recoup the money from the venture.

“Once (local businesses) know it’s a go forward, I think you’ll see more step up and want to help out,” Tim Dixon, councilman, said.

Brewster and Dixon motioned and seconded, respectively, to approve the ordinance on first reading, which passed unanimously.

Brewster was concerned about the project’s timeline and how it could impact progress of the new track and fall sports.

“In order to get this done this summer, we need to move quicker,” he said. “… There’s no way we can call these meetings earlier, special called? We’ve got to get it in progress in order to get it next season.”

Ross said the turf company would request a 60-day contract and needs six weeks of “good weather” to complete the project.

“They’re confident they can have it complete before the first event of the calendar year, which is a girls soccer game on Aug. 3,” he said. “They’re not entirely confident though that they can finish the track before that date, but what they would do in the contingency plan is to try to come back while the football team is away during a two- to three-week period and finish the track at that time. But the sooner the better. If there’s strong consensus and confidence in this project, we can certainly schedule meetings sooner in the month.”

Council will again discuss the field before a May 10 workshop. A public hearing is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. followed by a special called meeting at 6:25 p.m.

In other news, Loudon City Council:

• Accepted a fuel bid from Pilot Travel Centers LLC for $16,166.55.

• Approved on first reading an ordinance to change speed limits on Maremont Parkway and Corporate Park Drive from 30 mph to 40 mph.

• Approved construction and installation of a new gateway sign and six planters by VanHooseCo Precast LLC for $84,330.07.

• Authorized Loudon to submit a Community Development Block Grant application for sewer rehabilitation.

• Authorized two Loudon Police Department Ford F-150 trucks to be replaced with newer models through the Continuing Vehicle Replacement Program.