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Founders Park update: village council considering turf field; board discusses concession options
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Summary
District staff said the village council was reviewing a conceptual plan that includes an artificial turf field; board members discussed whether to build a fixed concession building or purchase a mobile concession truck for joint use by the village and schools.
District staff updated the board on conceptual plans for Founders Park and the status of discussions with the village of Islamorada’s parks-and-recreation committee and village council.
Pat Laffier said the village council was considering the district’s conceptual plan that includes an artificial-turf playing surface and conceptual buildings. If the village approves the turf, district staff will return to the design team to discuss building footprints with local baseball stakeholders and village staff so that joint‑use functions can be refined.
Board members discussed concession options. One board member suggested a mobile concession truck that baseball could use during the season and that could be relocated to the school during non‑baseball months so multiple programs could benefit. Another board member said the current conceptual concession building was well‑received by village staff and could be a jointly used asset for community events, but asked staff to compare the cost of a concession building versus a mobile truck and report back.
Staff also noted concerns from baseball stakeholders that the concession layout in the current conceptual drawing might not provide the operator a full view of the field; designers said they would consider window placement and refrigeration/equipment needs when refining the plan.
No vote was taken; staff said they will take the board’s input to the design team and village staff and return with cost comparisons and additional community engagement as needed.
