Council for the Built Environment technical subcommittee May 3, 2010 MEMORANDUM To: Subject: Dr. Douglas Palmer Chair, Council for the Built Environment Proposed Lighting of New Recreational Sports Fields RECOMMENDATION The Council for the Built Environment s (CBE) technical sub committee (CBE-tsc) provides the following as a report to support the discussion and final recommendation(s) of the CBE regarding the proposed Lighting of New Recreational Sports Fields on the West Campus. SCOPE At your direction, the CBE-tsc met this morning to consider the request of the Recreational Sports Department to place new lighting for the new sports fields within their sports complex on the West Campus. The Penberthy Turf Field Project is proposed to include four additional artificial turf playing areas to accommodate sports clubs, intramural sports and free play recreation. The additional fields will be sized to allow the largest dimensions required for Rugby, lacrosse, American football, and Soccer events. This translates into two fields with the dimensions 140 x 75 yards each and two other fields sized 120 x 90 yards. All of the fields will be lighted. It is the intention that the proposed lights will be installed as part of the project which constructs the sports field addition. The lights will be maintained by the University. The lighting portion of the overall $5 million field construction is estimated to be between $400,000 and $500,000. ANALYSIS Facilities The proposed addition to the recreational sports fields is needed to support the demand from the student participating in the growing sports offerings. The plans for the total project will be presented for future approvals. The Recreational Sports area is located adjacent to the 90 acre Bush Presidential Library Complex. The development and use of the sports fields should be accomplished in such a manner as to minimize impacts on the operations of the Library, the Greenway and the Burial site. The specific nature of this use will be discussed more below. Physical Plant Physical Plant Facilities has reviewed proposal and has no comments on the proposed lighting. 1001 General Services Complex 1369TAMU College Station, TX 77843-1369 Tel. 979.845.8661 http://fcor.tamu.edu/
Lighting of New Recreational Sports Fields CBE-tsc Report May 3, 2010 Page 2 Utilities The new fields will require up to 18 new light poles with multiple fixtures per pole. Once the lighting design is done, UEM will need to be informed of the new power requirements. There is the possibility that an existing transformer in the area could be used, but a new transformer may be required. Student Affairs: There is a need to investigate the electrical power in place and costs associated with it. Also, because of the artificial turf to be used, the new fields will create a non-permeable surface in the area which will increase the storm water run off into White Creek. The project needs to perform a storm water study to calculate effect of the run-off and corresponding detention requirements. An engineering firm (Klotz) has performed a study of White Creek storm drainage capacity and would be the best firm to hire to determine the impact from the new sports field. If additional detention capacity is required, Klotz can identify the requirement and estimated cost to complete. Security and Safety The plans for the proposed lighting of the new recreational sports fields have been reviewed by the Environmental Health & Safety Department and no issues were apparent. Presidential Conference Center/Bush Library Complex Any development and lighting along that boundary of the complex should maintain the integrity and respect of the future burial site of President and Mrs. Bush. In consideration of the neighboring land use to the west of the proposed sports field development, the plat describing the extent of the George Bush Presidential Library complex establishes a boundary along what was a proposed future road. This establishes the limits of westward encroachment on the Library boundary. This boundary appears to be about 600 feet from the center line of the entrance of Barbara Bush drive to the east and perpendicular George Bush drive. The extent of this boundary should be noted on the campus base map and a fence delineating the separation of the two uses should be seriously considered. Among the primary impacts of this development will be on the existing burial site and the actual interment plans being developed for this area. This includes maintaining an access to the burial site from the East through the Recreational Sports complex for heavy equipment and other vehicles. The lighting of the playing fields should be designed to minimize or totally negate any light spillage onto the Bush Burial site. Student Affairs A fence separating the sports fields from the Bush Presidential Library Complex should be a requirement of the project and not an alternate. Telecommunications and Computing & Information Services No additional telecommunication or IT services are required for this project. No interest was expressed by Recreational Sports for any expansion of data networking or telephone service in the area of the upgraded sports fields.
Lighting of New Recreational Sports Fields CBE-tsc Report May 3, 2010 Page 3 Project Funding Funding for the project will be from existing departmental funds. Logistic Services All university rules related to the procurement of services or other materials related to the proposed uses of this facility will be adhered to. Parking and Campus Access The parking plan for the additional recreational fields should be developed to minimize the access to the playing fields from the western side of the project (i.e. the Bush Library). We are pleased to offer this report for this project and welcome further inquiries related to this analysis. Sincerely, Attachments CC: CBE-tsc members James Massey Chairman, CBE-technical sub committee Director Office of Facilities Coordination