Voters to decide on $3.765 million for youth athletics complex

On Nov. 4, Lakeway voters will decide the fate of a new youth sports complex estimated to cost between $9 million and $11 million at 4520 Bee Creek Road.

The project is a joint effort among the city, Travis County and the Lake Travis Youth Association, a nonprofit organization that provides sports opportunities for local children.

Lakeway's bond proposition, approved Aug. 18 by City Council, calls for voter approval of $3.765 million for the purchase of property that is intended to house the LTYA sports complex. The bond issuance will allow the city to develop the project with Travis County.

Two issues remain which could stall the project—finding an appropriate buyer for the current fields, Bee Cave's Field of Dreams, and issuing bonds in both Travis County and Lakeway, which are contingent on voter approval, said LTYA President Peter Maddox.

LTYA would contribute proceeds from the sale of its Bee Cave location toward the new Lakeway site, Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones said. Bond funds from Lakeway's Nov. 4 election would be used to purchase the Bee Creek Road property that is currently under contract, he said. Travis County plans to hold a bond election in November 2015 for $3 million–$4 million to be used for property improvements, he said.

LTYA is currently involved in a controversy after a player was struck by lightning Aug. 26 on its Bee Cave soccer field. However, Lakeway Communications Coordinator Devin Monk said the Lakeway bond election set for Nov. 4 will proceed.

Maddox told City Council members the current ballfields are overcrowded and lack parking. He said the organization will serve about 4,000 children in 2014, with membership increasing more rapidly compared with prior years.

Maddox said the complex will include amenities for the entire Lake Travis community to use and is geared to help the region for decades to come.

"This will not just solely be an LTYA field," he said. "We've got additional open spaces for the community to use [for] their enjoyment—sand volleyball courts and hike and bike trails.

"[The new complex] is truly going to be something that is not only going to help our current needs, but we're building it with the mindset that as the community continues to grow, [the complex will] help all of us out there."

Maddox said local development company Frie Planning, Development and Construction drafted preliminary plans for the new site. He said LTYA also began environmental studies of the proposal.

Lakeway City Councilman Dwight Haley said he is concerned the bond vote will be put to the residents of Lakeway, yet only about 25 percent to 30 percent of all LTYA participants come from the city. He said he supports the proposition and the partnership with LTYA to develop a sports complex on the site.

Jones said he estimates the bond would cost the average Lakeway taxpayer $32 for its first year.

"If this [LTYA project] comes to fruition, it's going to be one of the most rewarding things this council has ever voted on," he said.