Trib: Official seeks support for rec spending

Amid debate over turf, grass, asphalt and ice, Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Kelly Fraasch is hoping to garner support from three other commissioners for a $7.28 million recreation spending program.

Fraasch wants the municipality to borrow $5 million for the program, which would include improvements for the swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts, ice rink and three existing athletic fields, while adding two more fields at Robb Hollow Park.

“Between our needs and our wants, that adds up to about $22 million worth of projects we could invest in, but obviously that’s out of the question,” Fraasch said. “This is a comprehensive approach, not looking at just one issue and dealing with it.”

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/news/2338929-74/fraasch-fields-million-golf-grass-improvements-pool-commissioner-commissioners-course (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

New Blog: Lebo Fields

Mt. Lebanon resident and frequent blog commenter Dave Franklin has launched a new blog called "Lebo Fields" to serve as a place for people to share opinions and ideas about the recreation facilities in town. Please stop by the blog to join in the discussion.

Link: lebofields.blogspot.com

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon seeks public input on rec needs

Mt. Lebanon residents are encouraged to share their ideas about the community’s recreation needs—including suggestions regarding maintenance, improvements and additions to parks and recreation facilities—at a special public meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, in the Commission Chamber of the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road.

The commission is seeking input from people of all ages that will help them meet community needs, prioritize projects and allocate available funds appropriately. Speakers will be asked to keep their remarks to no longer than 5 minutes.

The meeting will be taped and broadcast for one week following the meeting according to this schedule: Saturday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m., and Friday, 3 p.m.

Residents who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share their concerns and ideas with elected officials may e-mail comments to commission@mtlebanon.org.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/04-11-2012-ML-special-meeting (The Almanac)

Trib: Hearings to decide on Mt. Lebanon spending surplus

Mt. Lebanon commission will hold public meetings in the next two weeks to discuss spending up to $1.38 million of this year's budget surplus and to discuss the municipality's parks and recreation needs.

Mt. Lebanon keeps about 10 percent of its annual revenues in reserve, not assigning it to pay for any projects. When revenues at the end of the year go above that 10 percent threshold, a law enacted late last year requires a public hearing for residents and the commissioners to discuss whether to spend the excess, and if so, how to do it.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_790860.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

The Almanac: ML manager: It's time to invest in rec facilities

There is good news in Mt. Lebanon: all recreational facilities are making money with the exception of the swimming pool. The bad news is a majority of those facilities are in need of upgrades, repairs and renovations.

During a manager's coffee Oct. 12, Steve Feller said with the recent upturn in profits Mt. Lebanon can now begin to reinvest in its aging centers.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/10-19-2011-ML-manager-s-coffee (The Almanac)

Trib: Proposed Mt. Lebanon bond issue to upgrade recreational facilities

Sports fans in Mt. Lebanon are hoping a proposed $6 million to $7 million bond issue for recreation improvements could give the community more practice and playing fields.

Demand for open space is tight -- and getting tighter -- with proposed construction projects. The bond issue would cover a number of improvements, including a new fire truck, and repairs and upgrades to the municipal pool and locker rooms, Commission President Dan Miller said.

But parents and coaches of Mt. Lebanon athletes were most interested in another part of the proposal: developing a swath of unused community land on McNeilly Road as multipurpose athletic fields for about $3.1 million.

Read the full article:

• www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_752018.html (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
  

Two More Platform Tennis Courts

Commissioners unanimously approved two platform tennis courts to be built uphill from the town's two courts at the Main Park on Cedar Boulevard. he $175,000 project is expected to begin this summer.

The Mt. Lebanon Platform Tennis Association raised $75,000 toward the project and grants might also help pay for the courts, Recreation Director David Donnellan said.

Link: www.postgazette.com/pg/07137/786569-55.stm