Title
MOTION TO APPROVE THE FACILITY USE AND IMPROVEMENTS AGREEMENT WITH SOMERSET ACADEMY FOR A TEN-YEAR PERIOD, ALLOWING SOMERSET TO CONSTRUCT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO FIELD NO. 7 AT PEMBROKE SHORES PARK, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF AN ARTIFICIAL TURF FIELD
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. Somerset Academy High School has been a long-standing partner of the City of Pembroke Pines, consistently renting baseball fields at Pembroke Shores Park for many years to support the school’s athletic programming. During this time, Somerset has maintained a positive working relationship with staff and with the youth baseball organization that primarily utilizes the facility. Field No. 7, in particular, has served as Somerset’s home field since the inception of the school’s baseball program.
2. Recognizing both a need and an opportunity, Somerset approached the City with a proposal that would support their high school baseball program while enhancing a key community asset. The school expressed interest in funding and completing a full conversion of Field No. 7 from natural grass to artificial turf-an improvement that provides substantial benefit to both parties. Artificial turf supports increased playability, reduces downtime caused by weather, improves field consistency, and reduces long-term maintenance requirements. This aligns with the City’s continued efforts to modernize park amenities and expand access to high-quality recreational facilities.
3. Field No. 7 was identified as the most appropriate location for this improvement due to its layout and the fact that its outfield backs up to a lake, which provides additional safety benefits for high-school-level gameplay, particularly given the longer ball distances typically hit by older athletes. This is also the field Somerset has historically used, making it a practical and well-suited choice.
4. Under the terms of the proposed Facility Use Agreement, Somerset Academy...
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