Jim Martinsen is a Morton Heights resident who is heading  the effort to create a park and recreation district.  Martinsen has been active in community affairs for many years.  He is presently the Niwot area representative on the St. Vrain Valley School Board, a member of the Niwot Youth Sports Board of Directors and an area representative on the Niwot Community Association (NCA) Board.  He was also a member of the Boulder County Planning Commission for six years proir to his election to the school board in 1994.

What is the purpose of the district?

To maintain and improve the existing softball and baseball fields as well as Lefthand Valley Grange Park.  The district will acquire additional land for recreational facilities in and around Niwot.  This land could be used for soccer fields, bike paths, a wildlife refuge or unimproved open space, among other recreational uses.  

Why is a special district necessary?

The simple fact is that funding from the county is not available. Commissioner Stewart emphasized that fact when he was in Niwot recently. Soccer fields are a real problem.  There are no public soccer fields for youth in Niwot. Presently, St. Vrain Youth Soccer serves five to six hundred children from the Niwot area.  There are not enough fields, people are bumped frequently and scheduling is a nightmare.

 If we have a district we will be eligible for $20,000 to $25,000 every year from state lotto funds.  Without a district we are not entitled to these funds.  There are other potential grants that are only available to a district.

What would the special district cost each homeowner?

 We anticipate that the cost would be about $17.00 a year for a home assessed at $300,000 (actual value).  This is  six tenths of one mil. Commercial properties are assessed at a higher percentage of actual value and the cost would be $51 per year for a $300,000 commercial property.

How do we know the six tenths of one mil rate is not the camel’s nose under the tent?

This district, like all other special districts, Mountain View Fire Protection District, etc. can only change the mil levy by petitioning the electorate for approval at an election.  The service plan does not allow for the ability to bond. Further, the plan specifically states that, “The district will not construct any indoor recreational facility.”

What are the present fees paid by participants in Niwot Youth Sports activities?

Fees vary, depending on age and other factors, but an average is say, $75 per child at the top end for each team a child plays with.  If we raised fees to provide all of the funds necessary, the cost per child would be approximately $400 each time a child participated on a team.

After the district is in place, Niwot Youth Sports will adjust fees so that non district residents will pay a higher fee.

What is the proposed budget for the district?

At the proposed mil levy we should raise $201,000 per year.  Lottery funds will provide $20,000 and other user fees $17,000.  The total budget is $238,000.  Expenditures are divided between annual expenses and non-recurring, one time costs.  Details of the budget will be available at public meetings. The vote will be in November. 

Why such an early start?

The county has requested the preliminary service plan by the first week in April for review.  We also require county commissioners’ approval, as well as the district court.  All of this takes time.

Why can’t you use the new NHS ball fields?

The school district protects them from overuse.  Last summer Sunset Middle School closed their soccer fields; there was no grass left, they were overused.  Niwot High School (NHS) has used the Monarch fields for softball and they are using two of our fields on Nimbus Road for baseball this year.  The high school fields are designed for 
older youth, who are a very small part of the children playing ball.

When will the public meetings be held?

We held our first meeting on March 27.  On April 10, a second meeting will take place at NHS, 7 p.m.  The NCA at the Lefthand Grange is planning a meeting on April 18, 7:30 p.m. and will also be held. Meetings on August 9 and October 24.

What if the district proposal fails?

We will be forced to go back to the bare bones maintenance and virtually no field improvements we have had for so many years and we will not adequately serve our children.  We cannot raise fees to the level of funding necessary to maintain the fields properly and plan for future expansion of facilities.

I hope that people will see this proposal in a positive way.  It is good for the community.  Adequate recreation facilities will increase the value of our quality of life as well as the value of our homes.