MARCH 26, 2009 ISSUE
Town To Extend Water Service to Mackorell Soccer Complex
Last Thursday, the Boone Town Council unanimously agreed to extend water service to the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex, a new 1,000-seat stadium located on Brookshire Drive. The complex is a joint venture between the High Country Soccer Association, Watauga County and Appalachian State University.
In July, the town council granted a request for sewer service to the complex but voted 3-2 to deny a water extension request. At the time, County Manager Rocky Nelson said that city water would be preferable but that a well system could also serve the property. Council member Lynne Mason moved to deny the water request because the complex is located in a rural area.
Because of the sewer extension, the council also voted to annex the property.
Since July, however, ASU has installed 1,000 seats in the stadium, which requires 20 restroom fixtures per the state building code. The university also plans to construct private shower facilities and restrooms for the men’s and women’s soccer teams.
A pressurized well system could be installed to serve the facility’s needs, Nelson said, but it would be very costly and require additional space in the building. Additionally, the soccer complex is part of the county’s overall Brookshire Project, which eventually will include additional recreational facilities such as outdoor basketball and volleyball, a covered shelter, a trail system and acreage for affordable housing. The county is moving forward with a plan to form a nonprofit called the Watauga Community Housing Trust to develop affordable housing in the county, he said.
Based on these needs, Nelson and ASU Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Greg Lovins appeared before the council to once again request a water extension to the property.
“I would hope that the water interconnection agreement [between ASU and the Town of Boone] would help alleviate any issues you have with water capacity,” Lovins told the council.
Lovins said the soccer complex will primarily be used by the Soccer Association, the ASU men’s and women’s soccer teams and Watauga Parks and Recreation, but that a scheduling committee handles requests for use by other groups, including the Hispanic soccer league, the flag football league and the ultimate Frisbee league.
Boone Public Utilities Director Rick Miller said he would recommend that an engineer look at an 8-inch water line extension if the property is to eventually include housing.
Mason, in a reversal of her previous position, said that the Brookshire Drive area had been identified as an area for future town expansion by the Lawrence Group, a planning and design firm that has assisted the town in developing its Land Use Master Plan.
“For that reason I can support this request,” Mason said.
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