Recently, Marymount University athletic director Bill Finney and some of his staff went about writing down the litany of Arlington County fields the school had used for its Division-III soccer and lacrosse programs over the course of his 26 years working there.
“We took a legal pad and wrote down two columns from top to bottom,” said Finney, who estimated the number to be around 50.
But the days of a field-less Marymount will soon be in the past after the school announced it will partner with Arlington County for construction and use of a soccer and lacrosse field in the county’s Long Bridge Park.
The agreement marks the first major public-private partnership for the park, which is located north of Crystal City. Construction on the field is to begin this year, and the field is expected to be available for use beginning in 2011.
The university will obtain annual use of the synthetic-turf field for about 500 hours per year, or about 25 percent of its total availability, in exchange for $2 million in construction costs to be paid in installments through 2015, and some ongoing maintenance costs.
“We’re very excited about this project and believe it is a mutually beneficial partnership,” said Chris Domes, Marymount vice president for enrollment and student services. “Marymount has long needed a permanent home field for our soccer and lacrosse teams. At the same time, the community will benefit by also having use of this additional field.”
The university’s share of maintenance costs is expected to be about $14,000 per year at the beginning of the agreement. University and county officials will split the cost of replacing the synthetic turf when replacement is needed. The agreement runs for 15 years.
In addition to providing facilities for soccer and lacrosse teams to play and practice, the agreement also allows Marymount to conduct summer sports camps at Long Bridge Park.
“This really helps us,” said Finney. “All the coaches are really excited and I think it’s going to help a lot with recruiting. We’re excited about the partnership … and that legal page with all the names has been torn up.”
<b>Northern Region Baseball Coaches Poll</b>
The Yorktown baseball team went 3-1 last week at the McLean/Great Falls Babe Ruth Invitational spring break tournament. The wins included a 9-8 extra-inning victory over West Potomac, a 14-10 win over Annandale, and a 14-8 victory over South Lakes. As a result of its strong showing, the Northern Region baseball coaches have voted Yorktown into the top-10 of its weekly poll.
<b>Northern Region Baseball Coaches Poll</b>
1. West Springfield
2. Chantilly
3. Lake Braddock
4. Westfield
5. Langley
6. South County
7. McLean
8. Stone Bridge
9. Madison
<strong>10. Yorktown</strong>
Others receiving votes: W.T. Woodson, Oakton, Marshall, Robinson