FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About La Junta School District's New Football,
Track & Physical Education Complex

Measure 3A calls for a $4.3 million bond that funds the replacement of a deteriorating community asset. This bond can be accomplished by extending the district’s existing bond fund levy.

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Tiger Field Brochure (710 Kb PDF)

Tiger Stadium Design (480 Kb PDF)

A Case For High School Activities (106 Kb PDF)

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History

Why can't we keep the current facility?

1. Current facility has some safety issues (rotting bleachers, problems with press box structure and cracked concrete, unsafe cinder track), is not ADA compliant and does not accommodate National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) competition standards. (see Tiger Field History)
   
   
2. Current facility is too cost prohibitive to upgrade and maintain.
   
   
3. Current facility limits physical education classes and band class as well as competitive events because it is not a multi-use facility and is not in a convenient location for high school classes.
   
   

What will happen to the old Tiger Field?

• The East Otero School District Board of Education has instructed the superintendent to enter into discussions with the Arkansas Valley Community Center about using the old Tiger Field property for their new facility.
  
  

How do you know you are proposing a good project?

1. The East Otero School District Board of Education appointed a facility committee to research the feasibility of renovating the current Tiger Field facility vs. building a new facility. The committee researched educational needs, competition needs, recreational needs, costs, design factors, location requirements, etc. before making a recommendation to the school board.
   
   
2. The committee also worked closely with architectural firms who design school physical education facilities as well as bond professionals to research the most cost-effective, educationally sound facility design.
   
   
3. Cost to renovate current facility is $5.9 million
   
   
4. Cost to demolish current facility and build a new facility adjacent to La Junta High School is $4.3 million (this includes sufficient contingencies for unforeseen costs such as increased fuel costs to transport materials, rising costs for concrete, etc.)
   
   

Does the Board of Education and administration support this?

• During their regular Board meeting on August 11, 2008 the East Otero School District Board of Education unanimously authorized additional local revenues for a new Tiger Field bond issue.
  
  

Is school district time/money being used for the campaign?

1. Once the school board authorized the resolution be placed on the November 4, 2008 ballot, an independent campaign committee was formed and has been responsible for preparing material, providing information for the public and conducting open forums and meetings.
   
   
2. No district funds or resources will be used to promote the campaign. No district personnel will work on the bond campaign during regular school or business hours.
   
   

Facility Design & Amenities

What will the track and field look like?

1. All weather, 8-lane, synthetic track
   
   
2. Football field which also accommodates soccer, multi-grade field competitions, and band practice, performances and competitions
   
   
3. New bleachers
   
   
4. New press box
   
   
5. New coaches/scouting areas
   
   
6. New bathrooms and concession stands
   
   
7. Use existing parking at La Junta High School
   
   
8. Use current locker rooms at La Junta High School
   
   
9. Open to community members for jogging, walking and community events
   
   

Why should I care if I don't have a student who is not interested in athletics?

1. Will be used for physical education classes and youth sports.
   
   
2. Will be used for band class and competitions.
   
   
3. Will be used for special events.
   
   
4. Will be open to community members for jogging and walking.
   
   
5. This well-designed facility will improve the marketability of our school district and, ultimately, improve property values for all citizens.
   
   
6. Current and future school children deserve a safe, state-of-the art facility.
   
   
7. The community deserves good school facilities and a reason to be proud of our schools and our town.
   
   

Cost Savings for Maintenance

How much will it cost to maintain?

1. Easier to maintain
   
   
2. Artificial turf/rubberized track costs approximately 9 cents/square foot to maintain
   
   
3. Natural turf costs approximately 40 cents/square foot to maintain
   
   
4. Life of artificial turf/track is longer than natural turf and cinder track which require heavy maintenance each year.
   
   

Financial Information

Aren't we already paying for a bond now?

1. Last school district bond the public was asked to support was in 1995 to expand and remodel the Middle School. The cost of this bond was approximately $5.9 million.
   
   
2. If the district had no new debt under current projections the existing middle school bonds will be paid-off in 2011, i.e. 4 years early and the district's bond fund mill levy of 10.801 mills would be eliminated.
   
   

How much is this bond for?

• We are asking voters to pass a new bond in the amount of $4.3 million, to be paid over twenty years. Bond projections are that the bond would be paid sooner than twenty years.
  
  

Will I be paying for two bonds now?

• With the new Tiger Field bond, there will be NO INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES.
  
  

Will it cover the full cost of the project?

• The committee built in not only the cost of the project (as described above), but also built in money to pay for the demolition of the existing Tiger Field site as well as contingency funds to cover the cost of any increased costs in materials or labor.
  
  

What will it cost me?

• Given the answer about the middle school bond above, this means taxpayers will see NO INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES for this new project.
  
  

Oversight and Accountability

How can we be certain the money will be used only for the use specified?

1. The Board of Education will appoint representatives to serve on a Tiger Field Oversight Committee.
   
   
2. This committee will review expenditures, construction progress, use of the facility, etc. and report their findings directly to the school board.
   
   
3. This committee will review any proposals for the renovation of the old Tiger Field property and make recommendations to the school board about responsible, relevant projects.
   
   

Improved Physical Education Opportunities

What other classes can the school provide on this new facility that they could not on the old facility?

1. First, the facility will have much more use during the day because it is located adjacent to the existing high school.
   
   
2. Daily use for physical education classes will occur.
   
   
3. Band practice and band competitions can now occur on this new field.
   
   
4. Student field days (elementary and middle school) can take place on the field.
   
   
5. Tiger Relays (the longest, continuous Colorado state track meet) can be held in La Junta once again.
   
   
6. Other classes or events will now have a safe, state-of-the-art facility to use.
   
   

Economic Boost

How will it help the community at-large?

1. By providing a state-of-the-art facility, more teams will be willing to play games and tournaments on a safe, well-maintained track and field.
   
   
2. The school and community can hold regional tournaments in various sports and musical competitions that will bring more people to the community many times during the year, bringing a well-needed economic boost. Participants will stay in motels, eat at restaurants, buy gas, shop during down times, etc.
   
   
3. Good school facilities will aid us in attracting new industries and new families to our community, thus boosting the tax base.
   
   
4. Good school facilities help to increase the property value of homes because more families are attracted to the area and to purchase real estate.