Loudon OKs high school turf fiel

After heated discussion and resident input, Loudon City Council agreed Monday during a special called meeting to pay $750,000 for installation of a new turf field at Loudon High School.

The vote comes after council was approached by representatives of city youth football programs, which were being displaced from current practice and game fields. The turf field is a way to keep the high school’s maintenance costs down so that youth can also use the field.

Council hosted a public hearing for a fiscal year 2020-21 budget amendment to finance the purchase.

Tressea Webb, owner of Bear Arms Gun Store in Loudon, said she isn't opposed to the field but is "adamantly" against the city funding the installation.

“I pay plenty of property taxes on more than the home where I live,” Webb said. “I feel like we’re wasting money from the citizens of Loudon when Loudon County is not willing to put up a dime, or they have not been asked. I don’t know if the school board has asked, but it’s to my knowledge that neither the utilities or the county are willing to put up any money, and you’re asking the citizens of Loudon that you represent to put up all of the money. That is unfair.

"Once that’s completed, you’re not going to really have any rights to that property," she added. "I’ve heard there’s going to be a memorandum of understanding. Have you watched the news lately? A memorandum of understanding is worth the paper it’s written on.”

Webb referenced Loudon County Commission’s recent veto of the purchase of land in Loudon's Centre 75 business park, which she said would have created more revenue for the city.

“Maybe since the county’s not willing to pay anything, you could ask them to deed that property to you since you’re going to pay for it, or we’re going to pay for it, and we can give them the opportunity to play on our field or be willing to allow them to play on our field that we have paid for,” Webb said. “… I just think that you all should be fiscally responsible for the citizens who have elected you to serve and not pay the entire amount to put turf on that field.”

Scott Newman, Loudon County Board of Education board member, said the field would benefit city children through youth football, which feeds directly into LHS football.

Ty Ross, city manager, said the budget amendment was drafted with “plenty of whereases and explanations” for future councils.

To offset costs, council will use $158,196 in COVID-19 relief money originally intended for a new siren system. Ross said he is also reaching out to local corporations for donations.

“I think it is important to remember that as far as the county contributing to this project that the ongoing cost of this will fall on the county,” Jeff Harris, Loudon mayor, said. “We’re financing the installation. The replacement of it down the road, upkeep, maintenance, all that, is going to the county to take care of that. … The local youth program not being up on the hill certainly is a concern.”

Councilwoman Tammi Bivens said she was also concerned the field is not on city property.

“I agree with her 100% on that because we have no say-so over anything on that property,” Bivens said. “I think it’s great. This does affect the city of Loudon’s children. They go to school there. I think it’s a wonderful project, but I just don’t know about the city funding it. We’re talking about the city giving $658,000 to this, and that’s only if the corporate donations come in. If they don’t come in, we’re looking at $750,000 we’ll end up giving to the county. Half of our taxes already go to the county for such things, and they haven’t chosen to do it, which I understand completely why the county can’t do that. … I think the city might should consider their own field for the kids because that’s originally what we were approached with.”

Councilman Johnny James said he worries what might happen if the county decides they aren’t OK with the city using the field.

“The director of schools, Mike Garren, is here, and he drafted the memorandum of understanding to guide the future youths,” Ross said. “Paragraph six specifically says, ‘The board and Loudon High School shall maintain priority use of the finished synthetic turf field moving forward. However, the city’s Loudon youth sports groups/teams may also utilize the field for games and/or other events, assuming that Loudon youth sports schedules the same beforehand in writing or by email with the Loudon High School athletic director.’ Just to prevent conflicts, scheduling conflicts.”

Councilman Tim Brewster said he sees the field as a chance for the city to be put “on the map.”

“I think this is a perfect opportunity for the city of Loudon to step in and help our county schools,” Tim Dixon, councilman, said. “They’ve wanted this type of project for many years, many years. I’ve been here all my life. And to know that the youth program is possibly not going to have a place to go … I’m telling you, this youth program, they feed a lot of these kids that play.”

When Bivens asked where the money would come from to fund the expense, Ross said city revenues are up $1 million in the past year.

“In the past, I have never denied a contribution (to the high school) and most of the time a substantial contribution,” Webb said. “But if we spend $500,000 to put turf on that field, that’s all the money I can afford to pay this year or maybe in the foreseeable future.”

Brewster and Dixon motioned and seconded, respectively, to approve the budget amendment. The vote passed 4-1 with Bivens opposing.

Brewster and Dixon also motioned and seconded, respectively, to authorize the memorandum of understanding between the city and county school board, which passed 4-1 with Bivens opposing.

James and Dixon motioned and seconded, respectively, to authorize a contract with Baseline Sports Construction for installation of turf, which passed unanimously.