The Three Best Long-Term Solutions

[Scott Henderson]

For the past three weeks, a small group of Carmel citizens have taken it upon themselves to craft the best long-term solution for the high school softball complex. Since the school corporation has relied on a flawed decision process in its site selection, our citizen group decided to obtain original records from city, county, and other school districts' sources.

Here is a list of the research we performed:
- Comprehensive title searches for all land belonging to the Carmel-Clay School Corporation and the Carmel Dad's Club
- Conducted an audit of all athletic facilities at Carmel-Clay schools
- Conducted a survey of all high school teams that the Carmel High School softball teams play to obtain a comprehensive list of their athletic facilities, site locations, and other pertinent information
- Obtained Hamilton County aerial maps to identify suitable land for a softball complex, whether owned by the school corporation or not
- Enlisted the assistance of a private developer to identify land that is on the market or will be on the market
- Discussed possible sites with the City of Carmel, Carmel-Clay Parks Department, school corporation trustees, and local athletic clubs

In assembling this research, it has become quite apparent that the Carmel-Clay school corporation lacks a viable strategic plan for its athletic facilities and is grasping for a band-aid solution for a problem. Ironically, this situation could have been avoided if the school corporation had not abandoned plans to build a softball complex on the sprawling property adjacent to Towne Meadow Elementary. With the continued growth of youth athletics within Carmel, especially soccer and lacrosse, the school corporation has the opportunity now to create a long-term solution that provides equitable athletic facilities for all youth sports teams, regardless of gender.

One overriding principle in solving the current conundrum is that the proposed four-diamond softball complex cannot and should not be built on an elementary school site. A massive, fenced-off four-diamond pod will rob any elementary school of vital greenspace, create disruptive traffic patterns, and take away the community gathering space that our elementary schools provide their surrounding neighborhoods. Recognizing our youth teams need practice fields, elementary school properties need to either have age-appropriate baseball/softball fields or multi-use grass practice fields that can be used by different age groups. High school competition facilities need to be housed on high school grounds, middle school grounds, or other land.

Another overriding principle is that the high school softball team does not need four fields for its competitions. Since the school corporation has expressed its intent not to host the state championships, the high school teams can operate on parity with the boy's baseball team by building two competition-quality fields. If more fields are needed for practice, 1-2 unfenced practice fields can meet the remaining space needs. The need for four competition-quality fields comes from non-school athletic teams, which need not be the driving force for this project. Rather, these non-school athletic teams need to be secondary or tertiary considerations, when deciding how to use school corporation resources.

From ideas generated and research considered, three viable solutions have emerged:
1. Multi-use grass fields north of the high school football stadium
2. Shelbourne athletic fields located on 126th Street, east of the three school complex
3. 40-acre farm land at the southeast corner of 146th and Shelbourne

Let's review each option starting with the third best and working our way to the best solution:
3. 146th and Shelbourne - Of the three viable solutions, this property is the only one not currently owned by the school corporation. However, this piece of land is an ideal candidate for a joint development between the school corporation, City of Carmel, and the Carmel-Clay Parks Department. Given the Parks Department's expressed desire for a partnership projects and the need for various athletic facilities (lacrosse, soccer, softball, etc.), this option would provide the biggest impact. While the cost of land will be around $80,000/acre (total cost of $3.2m), the school corporation can reduce its cost by arranging a joint venture. Since the school corporation has a successful record of buying and selling land, this purchase would be well precedented.

2. Shelbourne Athletic Fields - Obvious advantages are that this land is already owned by the school corporation, parking and concession stands already exist, the land abuts West Clay Park, and it is separated by a natural buffer from the three adjacent schools. While some multi-use fields will be displaced by the complex, they can be relocated to Cherry Tree once the new softball complex is completed.

1. Grass Fields North of Football Stadium - This solution is the most viable. High school softball team members will not need to leave campus, the fields will be near to all the main athletic facilities, the school corporation already owns the land, it offers ample parking (the softball season does not compete with football season), two competition-quality fields can be built with lights, stands, and changing facilities, and this site will not take away any elementary school greenspace.

[Shannon Majeski]

I agree 100% that this project belongs on a seperate piece of land. I do have to make a point that the Shelborne fields on 126th Street are shared with Carmel United Soccer Club. The placement of softball fields there would take away fields needed for play and practice almost 8 months out the year. Carmel United has invested a large amount of money to grow and develop these fields. By building here you would be displacing another athletic organization. I feel as though the board should purchase land up for sale currently or land that will be for sale in the future.

This entire project is just disrupting one organization after another and those that will be effected are the children. Before ANY final arrangements are made long term consequences must be looked at. There is too much information still out there waiting to be discovered! No choices can be made on the spur of the moment.

[Pam]

I have not fully digested all of these options yet, however I applaud the time and effort taken to fully identify all options, with the pros and cons. This is what will produce a well thought long-term plan.

I am in complete agreement that High School level sports need to be accomodated by the High School or Middle Schools, and certainly not at the expense of our Elementary schools.

It was not beneficial then (and still is not) for the Carmel Softball players to have to practice and compete at "home" facilities so far from the High School itself. Most other High School teams (football, swimming, gymnastics, track, band, basketball, etc) have onsite facilities. Why not softball?