EASTON, Pa. — Discussions on opening Cottingham Stadium to the public for at least one day a week caused a clash Tuesday at Easton Area School Board's meeting.
The initiative, initially presented to the district by Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone, came up for discussion during the buildings and grounds committee report.
It immediately elicited polarized opinions from administration, committee members, government officials and local community activists as to whether the plan was safe or financially feasible.
No decision was made; the matter may appear on the board's July agenda.
Assistant Superintendent for District Operations and Services Josh Ziatyk opened talks on the topic with a review of what other schools do, the potential availability of the facility, liability concerns and costs for cleanup and security.
Use details, committee concerns
Ziatyk said district Athletics Director Matthew Baltz had found that out of 15 school districts in three neighboring counties, only seven permitted the public to access their track.
Those that did required certain regulations, including time limitations, staffing and restrictions on track and turf use.
A brief review of Cottingham's availability showed heavy usage by students and groups that rented the facility from the spring through most of the summer and autumn. Sundays appeared to be the one consistent day open to use.
Even though the district has liability coverage, several “best practices” were recommended, including staffing during open hours, increased camera coverage, adult supervision for any child visitors, prohibitions against pets, smoking, firearms, bikes, skateboards and other such items, and a stipulation that visitors provide emergency contact information.
Further recommendations for increased maintenance inspections, a thorough evaluation of the facility to address any hazards prior to opening the stadium to the public, and restricting several areas for access also were noted.
To provide an idea of the cost of opening the stadium even once a week to the public, Ziatyk provided an estimate based on keeping the facility accessible from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays for eight months.
A full-time police officer alone would cost $76 per hour, or $12,160 a year, paid by the district.
Ziatyk said Lafayette College has never made its sports facilities open to the public, despite public perception.
'The investment we've made'
Feedback from the athletic committee and buildings and grounds did not support opening the stadium and/or the track for the public, noting concerns about the longevity of the turf, potential vandalism, unintentional damage to the facility, the cost of supervision and questions about the necessity for the project at all.
Ziatyk said the administration “recognizes the importance of partnering with our community, when possible,” but doesn't support public use of the stadium during the week.
If the plan were to be tried, the administration recommended limiting use to Sundays, using a district police officer to supervise the premises and restricting use to the walking track.
Asked why security would be so vital to the stadium if it is not required at several other district spaces, Ziatyk said it came down to the location’s near-$17 million price tag.
“I think first of all, it's the investment that we've made in the in the stadium itself," Ziatyk said. "And we want to certainly protect that, the stadium, and detract from any concerns that are listed within both committees.
“And that's something that we've just really went back and forth with internally and feel that we need to if we're going to pilot it, we need to make sure that we have people that are to support it because of the investment that we've made as a district.”
Support and concerns
Board member William Whitman questioned why broad public access was needed when it would incur additional costs and responsibilities for the district, while putting the pricy stadium at risk for damage.
“Cottingham Stadium is the jewel of our athletic program. When people walk into that facility, they can see that as something special. I say if we want to keep it that way, the stadium should remain closed to the public. Any organization can apply to use the facility … with district approval and supervision,”William Whitman
“Cottingham Stadium is the jewel of our athletic program. When people walk into that facility, they can see that as something special," Whitman said.
"I say if we want to keep it that way, the stadium should remain closed to the public. Any organization can apply to use the facility … with district approval and supervision.”
Board members Nekisha Robertson and Meg Sayago both expressed support for the plan, with Robertson commenting on how it could provide much-needed green space for the West Ward.
“I just have more faith not only in the West Ward community, but the larger Easton community, they’ll take care of their space," Robertson said.
“In most cases, seniors, little kids, families that share a car don't have the same type of access that families with two or three cars or access to trails or to vast green space in Forks or Palmer have. So I think there should be consideration for this,”Jared Mast
Greater Easton Development Partnership Executive Director Jared Mast, in addition to Pintabone and fellow Councilwoman Crystal Rose, during public comment supported the project.
“In most cases, seniors, little kids, families that share a car don't have the same type of access that families with two or three cars or access to trails or to vast green space in Forks or Palmer have. So I think there should be consideration for this,” Mast said.
Rose said additional green space is a “unique need out in the West Ward, and I really trust my West Ward neighbors to be considerate and use those facilities with respect.”
A 'West Ward Walk'
West Ward WISE's Lance Wheeler suggested that in lieu of pursuing Pintabone’s plan, there could be a “West Ward Walk,” where residents could sign up to use the facility every so often as a group.
“If you really want to help out the community, the West Ward, and you want to do something like Mrs. Hess said, give me two buses," Wheeler said.
"Let's bus the people from 12th Street to Hackett's Park. There's a walking trail there. But if you open up Cottingham, you're asking for trouble, vandalism and damage.”
"I'm asking you to give us one chance. I have three people with me. I can bring a lot more if I need to. Just one chance. If it doesn't work, close it. I'll come back and apologize.”Easton Councilman Frank Pintabone
Wheeler said he had spoken to an estimated 500 West Ward residents who were against opening up Cottingham, which fills a city block between 11th and 12th streets and was fully renovated in 2021.
Supervisor of Safe Schools John Remaley concurred with Wheeler’s concerns, doubling down that the cost of security alone would be problematic, in addition to procuring more cameras.
Limited use of just the track alone did not appear to necessitate the price, Remaley said.
Pintabone addressed several comments, saying he believed the community would respect the property, that potential damage was being vastly overestimated by naysayers, and challenging the need for a full-time police officer to be on staff.
At the heart of the matter, Pintabone said, was the fact that “the luxuries that we would like our kids in the West Ward and those in the South Side to have, we don’t have.”
“So I'm asking you to give us one chance. I have three people with me. I can bring a lot more if I need to. Just one chance. If it doesn't work, close it. I'll come back and apologize.”
