Vo-Tech Athletic Facility Feasibility Study

Somerset County
Vo-Tech Athletic
Feasibility Study
Regional Center Partnership
of Somerset County, New Jersey
November 4, 2009
Introduction

Regional Center Strategic Master Plan
 Completed in 2006.
 Included 8 years of public input related to quality of life
issues.
 Identified a significant demand for high-quality multipurpose athletic playing fields to help relieve the burden
on existing facilities in the Region.

Regional Center Partnership (RCP) Response
 The RCP responded to this need by funding a feasibility
study of the existing fields at the Somerset County VoTech campus in Bridgewater as a potentially ideal location
for expanded athletic fields.
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Process
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A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the three
municipalities, Vo-Tech and RCP was established for this
Plan.
A Steering Committee was formed in 2008 consisting of the
recreation directors from Bridgewater, Raritan and
Somerville, the County of Somerset and the County Park
Commission, and Somerset County Vo-Tech Schools.
Following a public bidding process, RCP Subcommittee
selected the Team of Brandstetter Carroll Inc. (BCI) and The
RBA Group to lead the Master Plan Process.
In March 2009 the consulting team BCI and The RBA Group
met with various stakeholders including municipal and
academic athletic directors, independent athletic
organizations, etc.
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Stakeholder Groups
Somerset County Vo-Tech School
 Municipal Recreation Directors
 Bridgewater, Raritan, Somerville
 High School Athletic Directors
 Bridgewater-Raritan School District
 Immaculata High School
 Somerville High School
 Independent Athletic Organizations
 Bridgewater-Raritan Pop Warner Football
 Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. Panther Athletic Club
 Bridgewater Baseball League
 Bridgewater Athletic Association
 Bridgewater Lacrosse Club
 Bridgewater Soccer League
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Original Vo-Tech Athletic Complex Plan
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Existing Conditions Map
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Site Constraints Map
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Site Development Program
 Baseball Field
 High school size with 90’ bases
 Outfield 310’ down the lines and 375’ to 400’ to
center field.
 Grass infield
 Backstop, bleachers, bullpen, batting cages
 Lights
 Irrigation
 Scoreboard
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Site Development Program
 Baseball
Field
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Site Development Program
 Softball
Field
 High school size with 60’
bases
 Outfield 200’ to 225’
 Skinned (dirt) infield
 Backstop, bleachers,
bullpen, batting cages
 Lights
 Irrigation
 Scoreboard
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Site Development Program
 Multi-Purpose
Fields
 Size for high school soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey.
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Ideal size is 80 yards by 120 yards.
Lights
Natural grass with irrigation or artificial turf. Artificial turf
preferred for safety and maximum use.
Oriented north to south for best sun orientation.
Two fields preferred.
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Site Development Program
 Vo-Tech
School Needs
 Demonstration Landscape area.
 Culinary Arts Program to possibly run the
concession facility.
 Plan for an additional education building.
 Par 3 Golf Hole as a field laboratory for the
Horticulture and Golf Course Management
Programs.
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Site Development Program
 Support
Facilities
 Centralized restrooms
with concession stand.
 Parking with 60 cars per
field.
 Maintenance Facility.
 Steps/Ramp between
levels.
Restroom / Concession Building Examples
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Site Development Program
 Additional
Suggestions
 Lighted tennis courts for
community and school use.
 “Green” Architecture and
development.
 Nature trails to the east of
the parking lot.
 Walkway connection to the
Vo-Tech Campus &
perimeter trails.
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Final Master Plan
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Phasing – Scenario 1
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Phasing – Scenario 2

Phase 1
 Major earthwork, utilities, seeding, walls, etc.

Phase 2
 Baseball, softball and multi-purpose fields, walkways,
steps, and ramp.
 Irrigation

Other Separate Projects after Phases 1 & 2
 Restroom/Concession Building
 Field Lighting
 Tennis Courts
 Synthetic Turf Multi-Purpose Fields
 Maintenance Building
 Par 3 Golf Hole
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Implementation Steps
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Finalize the Preferred Field Design
Submit to Vo-Tech, Regional Center
Towns and County
Explore All Funding Options
Identify A Lead Entity to Move Plan
Forward
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Management, Operations &
Scheduling Responsibility Options
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Options discussed to date:
Somerset County Parks Commission
Bridgewater Parks and Recreation Department
Support from the Vo-Tech School
Combination of Above Options
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Scheduling Priorities
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Vo-Tech Physical Education classes during the
school day
Vo-Tech School Athletic Teams after school
RCP Community Recreation Department
Programs
Other Athletic Organizations/General County Use
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Thank you for your interest in the
Somerset Vo-Tech Athletic Facilities
Master Plan
Questions –Please contact Jim Ruggieri
908-231-7021 or
ruggieri@co.somerset.nj.us
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