Why Now?

Current facility . . .

• unsafe, not ADA compliant and does not meet NFHS competition standards.
  
• unable to accommodate State Educational Standards for physical education classes.
  
• cannot accommodate multi-uses.
  

New track/field . . .

• enhances the education program.
  
• increases student use due to its location adjacent to the current high school.
  
• provides the community with a first-class facility that will serve it for many decades.
  
• built according to educational and NFHS competition standards.
  
• brings more activity and visitors to the region.
  
• provides an economic boost for La Junta families and the community.
  
• adds a multiple sports and events complex for the region.
  

Project Description

• Standard football field (also accommodates soccer), with separate areas for field events, all surfaced with easily maintained and cost-effective synthetic turf.
  
• Eight-lane, all-weather track (bringing the facility to code for regional and state track meets) and allowing for jogging and walking areas.
  
• New, safe bleachers.
  
• New bathrooms and concession stand.
  
• New press box and coach scouting areas.
  
• Using existing parking and team locker rooms at La Junta High School Gym/Pool Building provides a substantial cost savings.
  
• Landscaped to provide for a visual separation between existing high school facilities and the new field.
  
• Easily accessible to buses and vehicles.
  
• Handicapped accessible.
  
• Open to community members for jogging, walking and community events.
  

Cost

• Bond Amount = $4.3 million
  
• Project will fund the demolition of the old Tiger Field. The site may be used to develop housing or recreational facilities in the neighborhood.
  
• If the district has no new debt, the existing middle school bonds will be paid by 2011.
  
• This means taxpayers will not see an increase in property taxes for the new project.
  

Playing It Safe

• Maintenance costs for current Tiger Field facility (built in 1938) have become very expensive in order to maintain required safety standards.
  
• The current facility is not ADA compliant and does not meet NFHS competition standards.
  
• The new facility is ADA compliant and is safer, easier and more cost effective to maintain.
  
• The new, multi-use facility will expand physical educational opportunities for all school children.
  

Economic Boost

• With the size of the new, state-of-the art field and track, this facility can attract thousands of youth, middle and high school athletes and their families each year for regional track meets, football tournaments, soccer tournaments and band competitions.
  
• Better school facilities translate into higher property values, attract new industries whose employees look for good schools and offer increased economic opportunities for the city.