16 hours ago, theguru said:

This, what is the complaint?

The complaint is the $1.5M cost; regardless of the fact that nothing comes from this year's budget.  It's all been paid for.

There's basically a new generation of Mason Countians who think much the same way as those who opposed building The Fieldhouse.  

5 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

The complaint is the $1.5M cost; regardless of the fact that nothing comes from this year's budget.  It's all been paid for.

There's basically a new generation of Mason Countians who think much the same way as those who opposed building The Fieldhouse.  

Thank you.

How has it all been paid for?

And it's difficult to argue the fact that Mason County has made significant upgrades in facilities - both athletic and academic - over the course of the last few years.  From having the vision to create an indoor track facility (that paid for itself in no time), to creating a cross-country course capable of handling large-scale events, to building a new Intermediate School with a regulation-sized track (that land wasn't available on the MC 'main campus", to creating a career magnet school focusing on technology and health sciences, to the current turf project.  

 

1 hour ago, Pi said:

There is not space on the property for a proper softball field. They’d have to buy or extensively renovate land for it. Now we’re over $1million.  And that only benefits one team.

Mason County could have included a softball field at the location of their new estimated $23 million Middle School.  For those interested, here is the Mason County Schools facility plan:  https://education.ky.gov/districts/fac/Documents/Mason Co DFP.pdf

23 minutes ago, brooksville said:

Mason County could have included a softball field at the location of their new estimated $23 million Middle School.  For those interested, here is the Mason County Schools facility plan:  https://education.ky.gov/districts/fac/Documents/Mason Co DFP.pdf

A lot of factors there. 

ROI- how much money would the softball field make back? Likely none while costing money to maintain

Where is the money coming from? Sometimes athletics can't be factored into certain plans/budgets.

Too many moving parts to even think about in the scenario of school renovations. 

2 hours ago, theguru said:

Thank you.

How has it all been paid for?

More like $1 million rather than 1.5.  As Brooksville said, 70% from facilities-designated funding and the rest from cash reserves accumulated 6 or 8 years ago. 

And a new Middle School should definitely be next on the list. Take it from someone who had a close connection for many years. 

1 hour ago, ChickenWyngz said:

A lot of factors there. 

ROI- how much money would the softball field make back? Likely none while costing money to maintain

Where is the money coming from? Sometimes athletics can't be factored into certain plans/budgets.

Too many moving parts to even think about in the scenario of school renovations. 

This has nothing to do with softball not making money back.  70% of funding is coming from facility only funding.  Money from the athletics department or boosters is not used, and is not allowed to be used for major facility upgrades/renovations.

1 hour ago, brooksville said:

Mason County could have included a softball field at the location of their new estimated $23 million Middle School.  For those interested, here is the Mason County Schools facility plan:  https://education.ky.gov/districts/fac/Documents/Mason Co DFP.pdf

Where does Mason County currently play softball?

14 minutes ago, brooksville said:

This has nothing to do with softball not making money back.  70% of funding is coming from facility only funding.  Money from the athletics department or boosters is not used, and is not allowed to be used for major facility upgrades/renovations.

It's a factor in any decision. If 100% of the money upfront was donated by the Pope they still have to consider the ROI over time with maintaining it, etc. 

The football turf can be rented out, etc, with little maintenance requirement and can make money for itself many times over. 

24 minutes ago, ChickenWyngz said:

It's a factor in any decision. If 100% of the money upfront was donated by the Pope they still have to consider the ROI over time with maintaining it, etc. 

The football turf can be rented out, etc, with little maintenance requirement and can make money for itself many times over. 

Again, it's not about the field making money, it's about equity between sports.  And I don't see a turf football field making millions of dollars. 

8 minutes ago, brooksville said:

Again, it's not about the field making money, it's about equity between sports.  And I don't see a turf football field making millions of dollars. 

So the people against the turf football field are angry b/c the other sports aren't getting any love??

In a nutshell that is the pushback here?

 

10 minutes ago, brooksville said:

Again, it's not about the field making money, it's about equity between sports.  And I don't see a turf football field making millions of dollars. 

In this context equity means money so it is much easier said than done. 

32 minutes ago, brooksville said:

Again, it's not about the field making money, it's about equity between sports.  And I don't see a turf football field making millions of dollars. 

If managed correctly, a turf football field could easily make a million dollars over the life of the field. 

7 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

If managed correctly, a turf football field could easily make a million dollars over the life of the field. 

In Mason County?  How?

Just now, brooksville said:

In Mason County?  How?

Just win baby!