While Montgomery County Council members are enthusiastic about a proposed $9.9 million soccer complex coming to Germantown, they are concerned about how the facility -- the largest of its kind in the county -- will affect the local community.
During a briefing last week, the council weighed in on the Montgomery County Parks Department's soccer complex proposal that includes 16 to 24 playing fields plus an indoor soccer stadium at South Germantown Regional Park near Clopper Road and Route 118.
William Hussmann, chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board, testified before the council that the project came late in the department's budget cycle, but said the board supports preliminary plans for the complex.
Hussmann noted that "a number of design issues have not been resolved," as well as environmental and community concerns.
Rachel Newhouse, landscape architect for the parks department, outlined plans for the 668-acre site off Schaeffer Road near Boyds, which also includes an indoor soccer center, miniature golf, BMX bike track, indoor pool and indoor tennis court.
The current park facilities -- a few ballfields, playground and basketball and tennis courts -- would be maintained as part of the plan.
The first phase of the project would include 16 outdoor soccer fields, parking, roads and water and sewer hook up for the $9.9 million price tag.
"Obviously, this is very exciting," said Councilman Derick Berlage (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring.
Berlage said the council has heard for a long time about the upcounty's needs for more recreation opportunities.
"This is something that will help us meet that need," he said.
Plans for the soccer complex came about last fall after parks officials unveiled an updated plan for the regional park.
In October, John S. Hendricks, chairman and chief executive officer of Discovery Communications in Bethesda, stepped forward to pledge $250,000 toward a modified plan for a major soccer complex.
Earlier this month, Gov. Parris Glendening announced the state would contribute $3 million from its Program Open Space fund toward the first phase of the soccer complex. Now, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan has joined the developing public/private partnership by including money in the 1999 Capital Improvements Program.
If approved, the $9.9 million would also cover costs to develop an entrance road from the new Route 118 through the park and maintain all existing local park facilities, Newhouse said.
Funding for the design stage will be available in July and construction is slated to begin in fiscal year 2000 or 2001. If all goes as planned, the complex would open in 2002, according to parks officials.
Future development could include additional baseball or softball fields; a championship soccer field; indoor soccer arena; indoor tennis courts and an indoor pool.
The public will have a chance to learn more about the project and speak out at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. at the new Germantown Community Center at Clopper and Kingsview roads.
Councilwoman Nancy Dacek (R-Dist. 2) of Darnestown noted the dramatic change of scenery that would occur for the rural community that now lives near the parkland, if the complex is built.
"This is a distinctly rural area at this moment," she said, noting the complex would be a five-minute drive from her home in Darnestown.
While most people may prefer a park over other types of development, Dacek said she doubts if anyone had a project of this magnitude in mind.
Traffic, noise and lighting are among top concerns residents want officials to consider in the park plans.
Susan Burdette, a member of Citizens of South Germantown, said in a recent interview that neighbors are not opposed to the park, but don't want the project to over run their lives.
Councilwoman Gail Ewing (D-At Large) of Potomac said this project is unique and large enough to warrant combing through many more details from type of surfacing for the parking lot to types of players' leagues.
"We need to flush it out so that everyone understands what we are envisioning here," she said.
From the Gazette Papers