February 3, 2004 Merrimack Soccer Complex Planning Dates February 18 – First Planning commission meeting called location, character, and extent to review plans, ask questions, etc.   February 24 – Appraisal at Planning Commission meeting and a vote to proceed with project   February 16 – Advertising of pre-bid meeting by city   February 24 – Pre-bid meeting with all contractors interested   March 2 – Open all bids and review of pricing for building, parking lots, lighting, etc   March 16 – Notice to proceed for all chosen contractors   Sept. 12 – Final walkthrough ** Planting of grass for fields hopefully to begin by May Blueprint of completed Merrimack Park Click for Larger View.   Huntsville City Council Meeting       The City of Huntsville approved $148,000 to be paid to Schneider and Associates architecture firm for completion of necessary drawings, construction guidelines, etc at the Merrimack Soccer Complex. There is a meeting this week ( January 12) to have a 60% review of the documents completed thus far so things are moving fast. Hopefully this process will be complete by end of month. While things are a little sketchy right now it looks as if there will be 5 additional soccer fields and a large building which will have a concession stand, restrooms. a meeting room upstairs, equipment storage area, and maybe even a room for referees/teams ( a total of 7000-8000 Square feet). It also looks as if we will have 2 additional restroom facilities located somewhere on the complex and even a Pavilion. Right now it looks as if 501 new parking spaces will be created. We also hope the money will go far enough to light a few fields as well. I do not have a date as to when construction will begin but will hopefully have that for everyone by mid-February latest.       This is a very exciting time for our soccer community. I wish to thank Ralph Stone with the City of Huntsville for his time and energy helping get us this far. Many thanks to Mayor Loretta Spencer as well as each and every city council member for their support. Also to each and every person ( coach, player, referee, and parent) that has helped soccer become what it is in North Alabama. This has truly been a work in progress for many years.       Now - Where do we go from here? FOSNA has much more work to do. As the organization representing all of soccer in North Alabama we will have some financial responsibility for Merrimack. While that has not been made clear by the City at this time, it will be something. It might be the maintenance, buying equipment, lighting fields, etc. We are asking for you to join our organization. It is $20 per person or $50 per family. You can find the membership form at www.nasl.com/fosna . The address to send it to is on the form. We are also a non-profit organization.       We will be talking to local companies about sponsoring fields at Merrimack. We will be looking for additional land for more practice/game fields. We will be needing help as we put all these things together. We will need more individuals to help us form committees and to create ideas. The next FOSNA meeting will be held Tuesday Feb.3 from 6:00-7:30 at the Brahan Spring rec center. Anyone wanting to listen, join, or ask questions are welcome to attend. Thanks Johnny Childress President - FOSNA From: "Johnny Childress" jchildress@arrow.com        All,       I have been asked to assemble some support at the council meeting this Thursday ( December 18 ) - just in case. Ralph Stone will be submitting a contract proposal to the city council for completion of Merrimack. Yes - More fields, parking lot, restroom facilities, and hopefully a few fields with lights. The architectural firm has been chosen and if this goes through with no objections - things should get started in the spring. We need a show of support just in case there are objections. I am not hearing there is cause for concern but we all know something could change at the last minute. Please try and attend and send this out to our soccer friends.        City council meeting will be held at Municipal Building located at 308 Fountain Circle - downtown Huntsville. It will begin at 6:00 and this proposal is under " New business". New business will be conducted later in the meeting but I have no idea to the time. I will be out front about 5:55 if anyone would like to join me. Please let me know if you have any questions and Thanks for your support. Johnny Childress President - FOSNA          Soccer fans: At the Huntsville City Council meeting last night, the budget for Recreational Services was approved. What does this mean for soccer? It means up to $2.5M for the Merrimack soccer complex off of Triana Blvd. More fields and parking, bathroom facilities, , and even lights hopefully for some of the fields. Details as to timeframe will be worked on over the next 30-60 days but here is the speculation: 1. Over the next 3-4 weeks, the City will be interviewing various companies to finalize the details of Merrimack. This will involve new drawings laying out the fields, parking, restrooms, and lights. 2. At the January city council meeting, these drawings will be submitted for approval. 3. It looks as if development of 5 new fields will begin first - hopefully in March/April. This in hopes that it will give us a few months of good grass growth for POSSIBLE use next Fall. 4. After the fields, everything else will begin.       Now - What do we need to do as parents, players, referees, coaches, and Fans? FOSNA will most likely have some financial responsibility for Merrimack. It may be the maintenance costs, adding lights for fields, we do not know specifically BUT it will be something. We need individuals to help us plan, raise money, share ideas, and help us organize FOSNA further. We need you to JOIN our organization. Membership forms can be found at www.nasl.com/fosna The names of the first 100 individuals joining will be put on a plaque for display at Merrimack.       We will also be looking for companies to sponsor these fields. We are gathering data now and should have a cost proposal available in January '04.       FOSNA's next meeting will be 11/25 at the Brahan Spring Rec Center from 6:00-7:30. Please join us as we continue to help ALL of soccer in North Alabama. We will not be stopping after completion of the Merrimack Soccer facility. This is only our first step.       I would like to thank the 15 individuals that came to the city council meeting last night for support. Your presence was greatly appreciated.       Finally - Our local government officials have been extremely supportive of soccer and without them we would not be announcing this great news. If you get a chance - Thank Ralph Stone ( Director Recreation and Landscape Services) who has driven this for us, Mayor Loretta Spencer, and every city council representative.      Thanks for your support!! Johnny Childress President - FOSNA 256-990-2626 Cell 256-864-3314 Work jchildress11@comcast.net  ( Home email)   More News: Ralph Stone addressed FOSNA board members and visitors on Tuesday October 21st with regard to NEW developments for the Merrimack Soccer Complex. It looks as if the City of Huntsville will be earmarking a substantial amount of money for the purpose of building more fields, adding restroom facilities, and expanding the parking lot. There may be enough money to have a few fields with lights as well. At this point he is unsure of the exact amount but that should be firmed up by December. The construction timeframe is also unclear but the hope is to see some major work beginning late Spring.      There has been much dialogue with the City in the last few months. We have many fans of soccer including our Mayor and all of the city council members. They are well aware of not only the number of soccer players in our community but also the economic impact soccer has on Huntsville. Without their support we would not be sharing this exciting news with you.      We will keep everyone posted as we get updates. Please check out the FOSNA link on the nasl web site for our constitution and bylaws, News, Meeting times, board members and our current Membership Drive called " GET ON THE BALL"! Johnny Childress President - FOSNA