Local donors offer $2.5 million to install FIFA‑quality synthetic turf at Ken Lindley Park; council questions PFAS, lease and public notice

Prescott — Donors led by Glenn Diutilo, president of local nonprofit OJBFC, told the Prescott City Council study session on Sept. 23 that they would privately fund up to $2.5 million to install a FIFA‑quality synthetic soccer field at Ken Lindley Park and resurface it again between years 10 and 12.

The proposal, presented by Diutilo and Christy Diaz Trahan, the city’s Recreation Services Director, asked the city to approve three primary items if the council accepts the donation: (1) a 25‑year prepaid lease to reflect the donated construction, (2) a right of first refusal for OJBFC scheduling and (3) a request to name the playing surface for Michael Pantalone. Diutilo said the donation “would be at no cost to the city and the taxpayers.”

Supporters say the field would expand playing time, reduce water and maintenance costs and strengthen ties with Yavapai College and youth programs. Opponents and some council members raised questions about public notice, local use priority, long‑term replacement costs and environmental concerns — in particular, potential PFAS issues related to synthetic turf manufacturing.

Diutilo described OJBFC (Ojogo Benito Football Club) as a Prescott‑based 501(c)(3) youth soccer organization that has grown rapidly — from roughly 130 players last season to more than 400 this season — and said the club is already affiliated with Yavapai College coaching staff. He said the proposed conversion would permit more hours of play than natural grass, allow play in wet weather and reduce annual irrigation needs. Diutilo said the group is targeting April 15, 2026, to have the field available for spring play and earlier community events tied to the 2026 World Cup.

Diaz Trahan provided budget and operational context: the Ken Lindley turf area currently uses a little more than 2,000,000 gallons of water a year, which she said represents roughly $20,000 in annual water expense to the parks budget. She said annual maintenance on the natural turf is about $15,000, with roughly $35,000 in labor costs that the city expects would be redistributed rather than eliminated. Diaz Trahan also said some maintenance tasks at Ken Lindley would remain, but that OJBFC had proposed to take day‑to‑day care of the new field.

Council members asked a range of follow‑up questions. Several requested a written cost‑savings analysis that shows net, not gross, water savings (Diaz Trahan said the savings figures reflect net estimates including any water used on synthetic turf). Council members also asked about timeline, community scheduling, vandalism protection, lighting impacts, relocation of other events such as the city’s moonlight‑movie nights, and whether the donation would require the city to abandon any future options for the site.

Council legal staff and city administrators addressed process questions. Joe Young (city staff) said the city’s charter posting requirement had been met as interpreted by staff — two separate publications at least a week apart — but acknowledged the naming request would still need to follow the city’s established naming policy and any lease would be subject to standard review. Councilmembers noted the proposal could be placed on the upcoming voting meeting agenda for formal consideration.

On environmental concerns, council members asked specifically about PFAS. Diutilo and Diaz Trahan said the contractor proposed for the work, FieldTurf, has tested turf “pile” components and offers product lines without PFAS‑containing infill; Diutilo said technological improvements and vendor testing have reduced prior concerns. Diaz Trahan added that the firm indicated warranties up to 14 years and that OJBFC committed to resurface the field in years 10–12 so the city would not shoulder near‑term replacement costs. Council members asked for documentation from the vendor about materials, warranties and disposal practices; Diutilo said FieldTurf would manage removal and end‑of‑life handling when replacement is needed.

Questions about usage and scheduling centered on whether OJBFC’s requested right of first refusal would limit community access. Diutilo said the group would schedule its programs first but would make leftover time available to other clubs and community groups; he said OJBFC routinely opens clinics and events to other local clubs without charge. Councilmember comments also suggested a finance option: one councilmember asked staff to build savings from reduced water and maintenance into a reserve so funds would be available when the field requires replacement in a decade.

Mike Pantalone, introduced by council members as a longtime Yavapai College coach and Hall of Fame inductee, spoke in support of the project’s benefits to college and community soccer programs and lauded the donors’ offer.

No formal action or vote was taken at the study session. Councilmembers asked staff to provide additional documentation — a detailed net savings analysis, FieldTurf materials and warranty information, draft lease language consistent with charter posting rules, and an outline of impacts to other users (moonlight movies, school events) — before the item is scheduled for a future vote.

Next steps: staff will distribute the vendor’s material specifications and a city‑prepared net‑savings projection; the donation and lease terms would require formal council approval at a future voting meeting, and the requested naming would follow the city’s naming policy and separate approval steps.