School Committee to increase fees for field rentals

May 25, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

East Longmeadow High School senior and the student representative to the School Committee Yemi Thomas received congratulations for his year of service from School Superintendent Gordon Smith and School Committee Chair William Fonseca. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs



EAST LONGMEADOW – The School Committee approved a pilot plan that would increase the cost of renting the East Longmeadow athletic facilities.

The plan came under consideration at the same meeting on May 22 that a request for rental was considered.

School Superintendent Gordon Smith provided the committee with a comparison of what East Longmeadow charges with a number of rates from neighboring high schools. He noted that the East Longmeadow rates are “significantly lower” than many other schools.

In a list he prepared, Smith noted the current rate to rent the turf field is $60 an hour, compared to the rate of $120 at West Springfield High School and $125 at Holyoke High School.

He proposed a moderate increase from the $60 to $80. Other athletic features at the high school received similar hikes in rental fees.

Smith suggested not to increase the same rates as high as the other schools, but institute a partial increase to remain competitive.

“It’s been a while since this has been looked at,” School Committee Chair William Fonseca said. He added he thinks the rates have not been addressed since 2011.

The money from the rental of facilities goes into the district’s revolving account that can be used for the maintenance of the field, Smith said. He said he hopes that restoring the track could be paid from this fund.

The committee approved the increases as a pilot program for one year effective July 1.

The committee endorsed the increase before it voted on a request from Lax Plus organization for a college recruitment tournament. According to its website, Lax Plus “is one of the top premier girls’ lacrosse clubs for grades K-12 in the Greater Hartford, and Western Massachusetts areas. Lax Plus began in 2006 with the vision of individual player and team development for local youth and high school programs, as well as providing an avenue for players to compete at the collegiate level. The club is directed by Springfield College Head Coach, Kristen Mullady, and former UConn All-Big East, Defensive Player, Melissa Nord.”

Smith said in the past the organization used the high school’s facilities and there weres 100 college lacrosse coaches attending. Usually the district does not allow events on Sundays until 1 p.m. The tournament would begin at 8 a.m.

The concern, Smith said, is if a Sunday morning event would have a negative impact on worship services at St. Michael’s.

The committee approved the request.

The committee also approved the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to use the high school field for the lacrosse play-offs on June 8, 9 or 10.

The MIAA asked the committee to waive the rental fee.

School Committee member Richard Freccero said, “I don’t like this.” He believes the school doesn’t get anything out of such an event. 

“The biggest benefit is getting your stadium out there as a potential site and the second is giving back to your boosters,” Smith said.

Smith said the MIAA would cover all the costs associated with the event, such as cleanup.

An added benefit would be if the East Longmeadow lacrosse team appears in the playoffs, Smith noted, “If they keep on winning.”

The School Committee honored its student representative Yemi Thomas for his year of service on the committee. Smith and Fonseca presented him with an award.

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