Speculation has mounted over the fate of the Elizabethtown Fair and other events, such as Haunted Grounds, that are held on fairground property; however, the information that is being regarded as truth about the topic, actually is falsehood.

The Elizabethtown Area School District (EASD) has released, as early as June 2008, its tentative concept plan to expand its athletic facilities.  This plan, which has been developed by K&W Engineers based in Harrisburg, Pa., involves the future development of the land that currently houses Elizabethtown Fair buildings.

Release of the concept plan, which is being titled the Athletic Facilities Master Plan, brought with it a whirlwind of discussion that 2008 would mark the Elizabethtown Fair’s conclusion; however, this is not the case.

According to Troy Portser, Director of School and Community Information for EASD, the expansion onto the fairgrounds is some time off.  Portser estimated as early as two years and up to ten years; it all depends on the District’s fundraising success.

When the Elizabethtown Fair first located to the fairgrounds property, which is owned by EASD; the District, according to Portser, made Fair organizers aware that it held the right to expand upon the land when the time arose.  Now, with the discussion of expansion on the table EASD is working with Elizabethtown Fair organizers to keep an open line of communication about the plan.

While Elizabethtown Fair organizers were contacted, no response was received by the time this article was posted.  However, EASD is happy with the relationship that is being built.

“We’re working closely with them,” said Portser.  “They have been a great partner.”

But, why expand now?

The expansion is something the District deems a necessity.  In previous years, the District conducted an athletic audit to determine the need for expansion.

According to Portser, 640 students are involved in athletics in EASD; these are unprecedented levels of athletic participation and it is something the District supports.

“We recognize the value that athletics has,” said Portser.  “It’s very important to have extracurricular activities.”

With increased participation comes increased usage of the District’s existing athletic fields.  Currently, the District has:

• - Four  multi-purpose fields,
• - Two practice fields,
• - Two baseball fields,
• - Two main game fields (Thompson and Jane Hoover fields) and
• - Two fields that are located off District property (one is located at Community Park as a location for softball and a second across the street from the high school in a church field, which is utilized as a practice field).

Industry standards dictate that the acceptable usage of a field is 25 uses per year.  Usage above this number causes a field to deteriorate at a faster rate.  Currently, the District has over 450 total uses of its fields, including practices, and this figure is only for District events.

The fields are also utilized by various recreation and community groups within Elizabethtown.  With all this information taken into account, the District is surpassing the recommended 25 uses per year.

Through the expansion plan EASD would gain a softball field, community field and additional tennis courts.  Also, the District is looking into the use of synthetic turf as a means to alleviate field deterioration concerns.

EASD desires to have all athletic teams’ fields to be located on school property.

“If you can put all your athletic fields on one property; how terrific,” Portser said.

Portser stated that other districts in the Lancaster-Lebanon area struggle with having athletic fields away from school grounds.  The District feels that locating these fields on school grounds is a financially sound decision. 

The District wants the funding for this project to come from private sources, not tax dollars.  According to Portser, the District is looking into naming rights as a way to fundraise.

Portser stressed the District wants to be fiscally responsible to all stakeholders.  EASD finds it necessary to balance its needs with being fiscally responsible.

But, how can the District just take back the fairgrounds land?

During the 1950s, EASD underwent an expansion phase.  During this time the current property along East High Street, including the high school and middle school and stretching all the way out to the fairgrounds, was partially donated and partially bought by the District from Dr. Thompson. 

The intention of this donation and sale was to be for the District to build a school facility and also to be utilized by the EASD as it deemed appropriate.  Portser pointed out that in the past 30 years the District has held true to its word with the building of East High Elementary.

While no start date has been set for the project, the District is keeping an open line of communication.  It is the plan at this time to start improvements and expansions closest to the high school and middle school.  Further phases would then branch out towards the fairgrounds.

Initially, the District wishes to look into synthetic turf, expanding student parking and moving the location of the tennis courts. 

While the concept plan has not been approved, it does show an additional parking lot and community tennis courts on the current fairground land.  Portser stated that the concept plan is not finalized and everything hinges on funding.

The District is optimistic about the project and the benefits it will have, not just for school athletics, but for the community as well – especially considering the addition of community tennis courts and additional parking to alleviate East High Street parking concerns.

As the plan moves forward, it is the District’s intent to keep open lines of communication with not only the Elizabethtown Fair, but the community as well.  Portser anticipates a special section of the District’s website to be dedicated to the project and EASD is looking into community meetings as a means of disseminating information.

“I think that’s how you build relationships,” he said.  “Much more can be accomplished when we work together.”

If you would like to read more about the plan, visit the District website.

 Megan Hoffa – hoffam@etown.edu

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 4:14 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.