Wednesday Meeting on MSI Soccer Stadium take over of Julius West Middle School fields

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MSI wants to be able to use the fields until 9:45 pm, with the 10 stadium lights on, 365 days per year. At least that’s what they have proposed in the draft MOU released to neighborhood groups.
Unsettled so far: parking, security, handicap accessibility, restroom facilities, noise, lightning detection, hours of operation, liability, trash removal, maintenance of field/cleaning expenses (as in, who is going to clean the deer poop from the herd that wanders around the property?), etc.
Yes the field is in. But since the MCPS rep specifically told the city manager that this construction was “not gonna happen” back in March - the neighboring communities need to have their concerns addressed.

There is money to be made. MSI makes good money from the tons of soccer playing kids. The population of Montgomery County has exploded in the past decade, so there are more and more and more families with more and more and more kids coming to the County. And, there is not enough green space, because green space doesn't make developers money.

So, this is what happens and an already overcrowded area gets even more overcrowded.

2017 population estimate: 1,059,000
2007 population estimate: 939,547

13% increase.

Boom.

I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If this were in my neck of the woods, I would be willing to compromise on everything except TURF. Leaching chemicals have long term adverse health effects. This should not be allowed.

+ 1 million

Especially for Middle School fields! Do the kids now have to run their Cross Country unit on these damn turf fields?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Which company installed the turf fields at JWMS?

I'd guess someone at the company is somehow connected to MCPS and/or MSI and saw an incredibly lucrative opportunity.

Follow the cash. It's always about the cash, IME. Rarely about what is best for the students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If this were in my neck of the woods, I would be willing to compromise on everything except TURF. Leaching chemicals have long term adverse health effects. This should not be allowed.

Latest research by the EPA may paint a different picture - https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/federal-research-recycled-tire-crumb-used-playing-fields

[Anonymous]

Get used to it people. The changes are happening in MoCo. There are baseball fields being replace by new Multipurpose (aka Soccer) Fields all over the county. Parks and Planning can't keep up with the need for soccer fields. It's a cultural thing that is a byproduct of the demographic changes in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP

Why is MSI pushing for turf so hard?? My kid plays on MSI and they should know better that turf is not good for kids.

MSI is pushing for turf because grass fields = cancelled games and practices. Turf fields don’t get closed when it rained 1.5 inches yesterday but is clear blue sky today. Grass does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get used to it people. The changes are happening in MoCo. There are baseball fields being replace by new Multipurpose (aka Soccer) Fields all over the county. Parks and Planning can't keep up with the need for soccer fields. It's a cultural thing that is a byproduct of the demographic changes in the county.

This definitely has something to do with it.

There is simply more if a demand for soccer due to changing demographics. Less kids playing baseball. The baseball fields are being replaced by soccer fields. Happened to the baseball field at my local park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the background:

https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?id=4940

"Under the terms of the settlement agreement, MSI will provide $1.2 million to construct an artificial turf field at Walt Whitman High School. Additionally, MSI will provide as much as $2.4 million to construct turf fields at Julius West Middle School and $1.2 million to upgrade the field at Einstein High School to artificial turf. In exchange, MSI will have access to use these fields for a set number of scheduled hours per year for the next ten years, when they are not reserved for school use. The construction of the fields will be contingent on various approvals from the county and the City of Rockville."

Where is the agreement? The public has never seen it.

Why did elected Board of Education members cut a private deal with a private company? No court ordered this, Board members cut this secret deal all on their own.

Please understand that the rich people in Potomac didn’t want MSI using the fields on MCPS property in Potomac.
This is payback. As long as the fields aren’t inconveniencing rich people it will be pushed through.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/patch.com/maryland/potomac/amp/3803114/msi-to-develop-soccer-fields-at-brickyard-road


And FYI - no students had EVER visited this farm when this was written. Not sure they ever have either.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/judge-halts-transfer-of-potomac-farmland-to-soccer-group

It is my understanding that despite the inherent value of Mr. Maravell's farm to Montgomery County's students and to our state, its future is in jeopardy," O'Malley wrote.
The farm teaches students about local and sustainable food, he said. At a time when obesity is a national epidemic, "we need more assets like Mr. Maravell's farm, rather than fewer."

[Anonymous]

In 2018, MCPS spent $560,000 to remove 10 years old turf field in RM.

[Anonymous]

This year, WJHS’s turf field will be removed. It costs $700,000.

[Anonymous]

Blair's was replaced too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP

Why is MSI pushing for turf so hard?? My kid plays on MSI and they should know better that turf is not good for kids.

MSI is pushing for turf because grass fields = cancelled games and practices. Turf fields don’t get closed when it rained 1.5 inches yesterday but is clear blue sky today. Grass does.

Artificial turf fields get closed when the surface of the field registers 150 degrees. That happens on hot days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This year, WJHS’s turf field will be removed. It costs $700,000.

Replaced with what? More turf or back to grass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This year, WJHS’s turf field will be removed. It costs $700,000.

Replaced with what? More turf or back to grass?

Dont know. The article did mention it. I guess with a new artificial turf. If it costs $1.2M to install a new one and cost$ $700K to removeit costs it every 10 years, plus $20k to maintain it, MCPS will spend at least $220k annually on the turf for each HS or MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get used to it people. The changes are happening in MoCo. There are baseball fields being replace by new Multipurpose (aka Soccer) Fields all over the county. Parks and Planning can't keep up with the need for soccer fields. It's a cultural thing that is a byproduct of the demographic changes in the county.

Sadly you are right. And I hate everything about MSI and their bloated money making company. Forcing kids to play year round to stay on the same team. We left as soon as they said that. I want my kids to play multiple sports and thankfully softball and volleyball are their favorites. And the kids speak English!