Gentlemen,
Please find a letter below from Cliff addressing the seriousness of the drought as it relates to our athletic facilities.
Athletic Association Presidents,
With Stage 4 Water Restrictions to take effect in April, I would like for each of you to consider the impacts of your seasons and activities on the conditions of City athletic facilities. Under Stage 4, we will most likely be limited to once a week watering on game fields only. Forecasts also predict lower than normal rainfall levels throughout 2012. With these issues in mind, I am requesting that you start your seasons as close to April as possible to protect the dormant turf grass. The more time the grass has to establish root systems, the better a chance it will survive through the summer months. If an abbreviated season is possible, we would encourage you to do that this year. I also ask that you not hold any preseason practices or orientations. As for tournaments, I understand the impact these have on your associations and all I ask is that you weigh the consequences of additional play on fields.
The steps we take now should impact the conditions of fields in the fall and the spring. Should we experience high temperatures similar to this past summer, we will commit resources and staff time to fill cracks on a routine basis on game fields only. You will need to advise your teams to be mindful of the conditions of their practice areas throughout the year. As part of Stage 4 restrictions, we will not irrigate any park or practice facility, nor will we there be any sod replacement at any facility.
The issues faced by North Texas Municipal Water District and the City's that receive their water from the district are as serious as they have ever been. As we learn more about the restrictions in place and the impacts that they have on your associations, we will communicate to your players, coaches and parents through each of you. We will include this issue on the agenda for the Athletic Association Meeting on January 19th. If you should have any questions prior to this date, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Cliff Keheley
Director, Mesquite Parks & Recreation
Elizabeth Roberts
Athletics & Aquatics Superintendent
PR Logo no white box
City of Mesquite
1515 North Galloway Ave.
PO Box 850137
Mesquite, TX 75185-0137
972-216-6420 office
972-216-8102 fax
eroberts@cityofmesquite.com
