by JoAnn Grbach, Staff Writer
December 23, 1998
Planners are seeking more details on the business plan for a proposed Germantown soccer complex, including the question of who will gain from any profits generated by the multi-million dollar facility.
The Montgomery County Planning Board hoped to wrap up decisions last Thursday on eight recommendations for the proposal that it plans to forward to the Montgomery County Council in January. But planners focused much of the discussion on how an agreement can be reached between the county and soccer proponents over what happens to profits from the complex. The board will continue efforts Jan. 7.
"I think what we're trying to do is protect the government's investment here and we have to have some say in what's going on," said board member Arthur Holmes Jr.
Planners are working to amend a 1996 master plan that will allow for nearly 24 soccer fields -- about twice the number originally designated for the 658-acre South Germantown Recreational Park, located off Schaeffer Road and Route 118.
The $16.85 million soccer proposal is a public-private partnership between the county and the Maryland Soccer Foundation that was introduced last January. The foundation has promised to raise $11 million for the complex.
The 24-field proposal also includes a championship field with seating for 3,200 people plus an indoor arena.
Currently, 92 percent of county soccer players, of which there are more than 22,000, are paying a $10 assessment fee each season that goes toward the development of the complex. Six years from now, when the complex is fully operational, the foundation plans to take a percentage of that money to build soccer fields elsewhere.
In its business plan, the foundation has outlined projections for fund-raising that shows individual, corporate and foundation support. It expects the total operating expenses at the park, once it is fully built, to be about $2.25 million per year.
The foundation has assured planners new fields will not come at the expense of the South Germantown complex.
"We're not going to jeopardize the quality of the park to go off and build some other facility," said Ken Salomon, foundation president.
Trisha Heffelfinger, a spokeswoman for the foundation, said later in a telephone interview that the foundation will use money from the youth soccer assessment fees to fix poor fields in the county.
The Maryland Soccer Foundation, a consortium of public and private individuals, has always presented itself as a non-profit organization dedicated to improving soccer facilities for the county's youth.
The foundation insists the complex in Germantown will not be neglected.
"Any revenues from the soccerplex should stay at the soccerplex," she said. "We absolutely have a commitment to the soccerplex; we're not looking beyond it."
And while South Germantown residents have largely voiced concerns about the complex because of possible traffic, noise and lighting impacts, they have also raised concerns about the foundation's business plan.
"They have placed this project on such a fast pace [and] they're leaving too many opportunities for holes," said Laura Creedon, a South Germantown resident, following last week's meeting. "I was wondering how long it was going to take before they said, 'Gee, maybe we ought to scrutinize this thing.'"
Planners also want staff to make sure cost estimates for building the complex are as exact as possible.
"I think you've got to go into the council with as accurate a cost as you can," said board member Davis Richardson. "It's in everybody's best interest to be as accurate and precise as we can.
Some have raised concerns and criticized the foundation's business plan saying it is flawed because some cost estimates are not given and differences exist in the estimates given on field construction.
"I think ... they are now being forced to review these issues," Creedon said. "Even estimates need to be put in place, at least rough estimates."
Planners will have the numbers outlined in the plan verified and questions about the plan answered.
"When you send it to the council, that's another set of eyes looking at it and we ought to have it as tight as possible," Holmes said.
But the foundation is certain the business plan will be accepted and understands planners' need to double-check the figures. "We're more than happy to do whatever it takes because we're confident in our numbers," Heffelfinger said.
Meanwhile, soccer proponents continue to hope the proposal moves forward in a timely manner because too many delays could put the planned fall 2000 opening in jeopardy. The foundation hopes to break ground next summer and plant grass in June 2000.
"If we don't get to the council by March or April, that's when we're hoping to be seeking permits," Heffelfinger said. "That's when you're backing things up and you're talking the spring 2001 ... so, basically you lose a season."
Planners also agreed last week that a nine-member advisory board will be formed to ensure "non-foundation" teams have an opportunity to use the soccer fields.
Earlier this month, planners agreed on four recommendations. Those include eliminating the possibility of using groundwater to irrigate fields, designating two fields in the soccer complex for community use, supporting traffic studies that conclude congestion will not be a problem near the park and deciding not to designate the park as a special protection area.
Planners will still have to make decisions about which non-soccer facilities will be built at the park first and the phasing of the complex. In addition to 13 soccer fields, the 1996 park master plan also calls for other recreational uses that include amenities such as an indoor pool and tennis courts, bicycle motocross track, miniature golf course, driving range, adventure playground and nature center.