Article date: August 31, 2000

By Dan M. Telvock

If the town of Front Royal and Warren County can come up with about $300,000 within a few months, Stump Park at the Avtex Superfund site will be turning green— for soccer fields.

The United States Soccer Foundation has chosen the Avtex Superfund site as a pilot program for the foundation’s dream of having a showcase soccer park at a cost of about $3.5 million dollars. The U.S.S.F. has offered to pay approximatley 90 to 95 percent of the costs.

Last Monday, Executive Director of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority, Stephen Heavener, urged both local governing bodies to jump on this offer, and move quickly.

The plan calls for four large stadium fields and a variety of practice fields for all ages.

"The biggest chunk (of money) is (designated) to actually build the fields," said Heavener. "Phase one builds the fields and puts in the gravel parking lot. Phase two brings this to more of a complex, paves the parking, puts in landscaping, a large bathroom facility, 1,500-seat bleachers and the administration building."

Heavener has figured the local funds needed will be around $300,000 to handle some infrastructure components of the project.

"We’re the guinea pigs, so to speak," said Heavener about being chosen for the project. "They (U.S.S.F.) have never done soccer development on Superfund sites. We don’t really know at the end of the day how and who will pay for what. We’re the pioneer in this project. Ultimately, the question is how do we pay for the rest of this stuff down the road?"

Heavener said this is an economic development project that could drastically increase the tax base for the town and county.

"It’s easy for the soccer foundation and the E.P.A. to show us off," Heavener said. "It’s easy for them to bring in political figures out here. It’s a win/win situation for everybody. That’s why we perceived this as an economic development project and not a recreation facility. If tournaments are held here, they’re going to spend money somewhere here. A facility developed properly turns into a money maker for the community."

Heavener said the operation and the maintenance of the fields should be self sustaining from fees and rent of the practice fields. The operation and maintenance of the fields will be controlled by the Parks and Recreation Department. Director Dan Lenz said the maintenance of the fields shouldn’t be any different than what is done now with the high school’s fields.

"It’s probably going to be similar with what we do now." Lenz said. "What we do there (Ed Stump Park’s five practive fields) is try to mow the fields weekly and put the lines in. As far as actual maintenance, we’re not going to have to do a lot of shifting."

Lenz said the weather will have a lot to do with some of the maintenance aspects of the fields. If it rains a lot, less irrigation is needed, but the opposite holds true if there is a dry summer like those in 1998 and 1999.

"The weather has a lot to do with it as far as maintenance goes," Lenz said. "It all depends on the weather really, and without testing it for one year, we really won’t know."

As for being able to handle the project, Lenz said he foresees the operation to run smoothly. He added that he believes hiring new employees shouldn’t be an issue.

"I’m hoping that we’re not going to have to (hire new employees)," Lenz said. "It will be a challenge, were proud of it. We were their (U.S.S.F.) choice (for this) pilot program. Both the EDA and town council have expressed a lot of interest. I have spoken to just a few county officials who seem (to be) for it. And the soccer board has wanted a permanent field since 1982. We’re growing by leaps and bounds and hopefully this will be a precedent."

Lenz said the facility’s potential is huge, with visitors coming in from all over the United States. But locally, Lenz said the opportunitues are worth every penny.

"You could have up to 1,000 people using these fields in Warren County-Front Royal alone. There’s a lot of potential".

Lenz also mentioned a walking trail is on the drawing board to surround the soccer fields and a playground, which would be located on the lower left corner of the park.

"Ido like the idea of the walking trail." said Lenz. "I think the community will look forward to this and it will get some national attentiion, if it hasn’t now.

Heavener said if the financial commitment is made by the community, the construction can begin in the spring of 2001.

"I know the U.S.S.F. is interested ingetting this project going." said Heavener "This is a golden opportunity for us and a tremendous opportunity for the community, but we have to act quickly. If we don’t commit very soon, they’ll find some other demonstration community."