Questions and Answers about the Dietz Stadium proposal

on the Kingston City School District Ballot

Polls are open on May 15th, 2018 from 7 AM until 9 PM

Click here to learn about all of the propositions on the ballot and to find your polling location

About Proposition 4  - Conveyance of Dietz Stadium to the City of Kingston:

What does this proposition mean?

Voting YES on this proposition would allow the Board of Education to hold a vote on whether or not to transfer full ownership of Dietz Stadium, which hosts athletic events for the students and community, to the City. Currently, the City of Kingston and the Kingston City School District each have 50% ownership of the Stadium. Voting YES would not automatically transfer ownership to the City. Rather, it would give the Board of Education the opportunity to discuss the issue and hold a vote on whether or not to transfer ownership.

Why would the City take on full ownership of Dietz? Why not continue with a partial ownership?

In September of 2017, NYS Governor Cuomo awarded the City of Kingston with a $10 million grant for the Uptown Stockade District through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The funding and investments provided by the grant are intended to boost the local economy and generate new opportunities for long-term growth. A Kingston Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders identified improvements to Dietz Stadium as a top priority for receiving grant funds. It was also the top rated project in a public survey. However, implementing major capital projects within the current 50/50 ownership of Dietz Stadium is complex due to various limitations on the NYS Education Department procurement practices; full ownership by the City would alleviate those challenges.

If the City owned Dietz, what kind of improvements would me made?

Proposed work to be accomplished using this grant funding includes:

• New or refurbished locker rooms and bathrooms
• Upgraded / modernized food vending facility
• New visitor bleachers
• Refurbished press box
• Resurfaced parking lot and replace lighting
• Outdoor water fountains
• Stadium Wi-Fi for visitors
• Bike Racks
• Stadium Signage
• New grandstand sound and PA systems
• On-site storage shed
  

View the Draft Project Summaries for all "DRI" proposed projects here. Upgrades to Dietz Stadium can be found on pages 23-33.

Would student use of Dietz Stadium continue?

Yes. It is a top priority of Mayor Noble and Superintendent Padalino that student use of Dietz continues to be a priority. The improvements to the stadium could also mean student use of the stadium would be expanded. In recent years, the Kingston City School District has not be able to host certain interscholastic athletic competitions, as neighboring school districts with superior facilities have been selected.

What assurances do parents have that student use of Dietz stadium will remain a priority?

Prior to their vote, the Board of Education and the City will sign a new legal contract assuring the KCSD retains priority for student use, similar to the agreement that currently exists.