K-L Mulls Referendum for Tennis Courts, Turf & Track

Katonah-Lewisboro school officials are considering holding a public vote to pay for a portion of the cost for six proposed tennis courts on the John Jay campus, along with turf field and track replacement work near by.

The school board signaled its interest at its June 6 meeting after getting a status update on fundraising for the courts.

Based on early estimates, the total cost for the courts is well into the $500,000 range, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Jumper. This includes both construction costs and preparation and drainage work needed because the site is in the watershed for New York City's water supply. The John Jay Boosters Club is raising private funds for the majority of the cost, but the preparation and drainage component, around $250,000, is being eyed for inclusion in a public vote.

If approved, the referendum would give the district the authority to borrow bond anticipation notes (BANs) to pay for the work.

Rob Labriola, a Waccabuc resident and John Jay High School boys tennis coach, is working on the fundraising effort with the local sports boosters. He announced that the group's goal of $375,000 in fundraising was reached. So far, about $400,000 has been raised. He also intends to raise about another $25,000 to cover lighting costs. The fundraising campaign began in December, Labriola said, with donors ranging in support from double digits to five figures.

The referendum could potentially be held this fall, according to Jumper, who told the school board that an architect's work could be available for the board's June 20 meeting.

While it is too early to have a precise price tag, Jumper presented preliminary numbers for a ball park estimate for the capital package of $1,125,000. This includes an $875,000 figure for turf and track work, based on a number pulled from a neighboring district, a $200,000 figure for the drainage and prep for the courts, and $50,000 for another unnamed building renovation.

The building renovation component, according to Jumper, would allow for the district to qualify for state aid, which would cover 25.3 percent, or $285,000 of the package's cost, which would be payable over a 15-year period.

The courts are being eyed for an existing softball space on the campus; space could potentially be reclaimed in the back of the high school/middle school campus to replace the softball field.

District administrators noted that work being considered for the package would have to be done anyway at some point, including the turf, track and stormwater mitigation. Superintendent Paul Kreutzer also stated that a stormwater system could be scaled for the campus.

School board members signaled their general support for adding courts, which would be for tennis players, physical education and community usage. Currently, John Jay's boys and girls tennis teams play at two parks, Labriola said, with a $12,000 annual transportation cost for doing so.

Board President Mark Lipton, himself a tennis player, said it's “like such a no brainer.” Given the state funding element, boosters support and non-tennis projects needing to be done regardless, Lipton compared the situation to getting “free money.”

Board trustee Janet Harckham supports adding courts but also is in favor of stormwater mitigation, noting that it affects drinking water.

Board member Peter Breslin, who supports the courts, felt that having a standalone referendum that is separate from the district's annual May budget vote would be more likely to attract people in favor of the idea.

Meanwhile, Labriola feels a sense of urgency in the timeline, telling the board that he promised to refund donations if the project is not done by Dec. 31, 2014. The estimated timeline for completion is 9-12 months after a referendum date or the final donation, Jumper said.