The following questions were submitted by NeighborhoodNet to Johnson County Park and Recreation. Mr. Michael Meadors, Director, Johnson County Park and Recreation, responded. His answers are highlighted in green.

1. A preliminary drawing has been posted of the proposed soccer fields on Park and Rec website. Is there supporting text that explains this drawing and project? Specifically, what is the size of each soccer field? What is the size of the rec center? Is there supporting text?

   There is no support text for the preliminary site plan. The plan, which is available on www.jcprd.com, does call for 12 of the fields to be 80 yards X 20 yards (Fields 1-12), 10 fields to be 70 yards X 110 yards (Fields 13-18 and 21-24), and 2 fields to be a minimum of 50 yards X 80 yards (Fields 19-20). The two smaller fields are compliant with the US Youth Soccer approved field size for youth 12 and younger. The preliminary estimate for the Community Center is 40,000 square feet. It is planned that this would include administrative offices for programming staff, public restrooms, meeting room and limited programming space. However, until the entire Soccer Park is designed and bid, the exact size cannot be determined.

2. You mention many times that these fields must be built to national standards in order to qualify for national tournament play. Please let us know which soccer body standards you are referring to and please provide a copy of these standards.

   Both the US Youth Soccer Association and US Soccer Federation abide by FIFA Laws of the Game, which states Field Surface Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition. These standards can be confirmed on page 6 of the FIFA Laws of the Game. Here is the link to that site: http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/2006Laws.pdf
   Dimensions:

   • The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
   • Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds); maximum 120 m (130 yds)
   • Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds); maximum 90 m (100 yds)

   By constructing 12 of the fields to the largest standards and including the 15’ safety area (apron) immediately outside the actual field dimension, each of these fields could also be utilized to create two (2) smaller fields for younger players playing width-wise. So, in actuality, the 24 fields grow to 36 or more fields.

3. We are aware that regional tournament play already exists on the present soccer fields. Can you please verify that this is correct.

   This is correct. There currently are three (3) tournaments annually that are hosted at Heritage Soccer Park. These tournaments, although considered “regional,” do not draw to the larger regional area anticipated of the Soccer Park, which is critical for its successful fee-support operations. The tournaments at Heritage Park will continue either as separate events or as additional fields for even larger tournaments.

4. Much publicity has been given to the fact that the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCA) will be headquartered at the soccer complex. Will offices for the NSCA be leased from Park and Rec in the new recreation building? Where specifically will the offices for this association be located?

   The NSCA Offices are not planned to be located at the JCPRD-owned Soccer Park. The CSL report suggested these offices be located in the soccer stadium.

5. Johnson County Park and Rec has sent out a massive flyer along with other publicity in support of the soccer fields. Where are charter guidelines that outline regulations Johnson County Park and Rec must take in promoting a controversial project? Public tax dollars are being used in this promotion.

   The informational flyer was funded by the District’s Enterprise Fund and not with public tax dollars. The Enterprise Fund budget is fully funded through user fees, such as the enrollment fees paid by participants in our soccer programs. It is the same funding source that would pay for the operation, maintenance, and future capital renovations of the proposed Soccer Park. Please note the flyer is an informational piece intended to educate the public on the reason for the ballot question. While it supports the need for the Soccer Park, the flyer does not request a “Yes” vote.