Fence proposal needs more research

Plans to build a 12-foot chain link fence around Douglas County's new $1.6 million track and football field are going back to the drawing board, following a two-hour debate at Tuesday's planning commission meeting.

"The field needs to be protected, but not all options have been explored," said Bob Conner, chairman of Douglas County's planning commission. "We need more research."

A variance is required for the proposed 12-foot chain link fence, designed to protect the new athletic field from vandalism, according to county and school officials, most of whom support the fence.

"I've been principal at Douglas High School for two years and we have a lot of graffiti," said Marty Swisher. "Recently, the rivalry between Carson City and Douglas has been rekindled. Our students have graffiti'd their school and vice versa."

Douglas High Booster President Samantha Thurm said she's seen people jump the 8-foot fence now protecting the field with their dogs and players are picking cigarette butts and gum off the new track.

"It's our job to protect the track for future generations," she said.

Most agreed on the need to protect the field, but Planning Commissioner Lawrence Howell, who spoke with a number of fence contractors, said chain-link fences with a 2-inch grid as is now installed are used to keep balls in, not people out.

On the other hand, chain link with 1-inch holes can't be scaled. he said.

"One-inch chain link is three times as expensive but no one will climb it," he said.

"Don't worry about the higher cost," said Planning Commissioner Mike Olson. "We got the field free. We can pay for the fence."

Slats inserted in a 2-inch chain link could also deter anyone trying to scale the fence, Howell said.

Conner said a bolt cutter can destroy 2-inch chain link in a matter of minutes, but not so with 1-inch chain link.

He advocates a multi-pronged approach, using other tools like infrared sensors.

"This is an expensive field and it needs protecting, but we're premature in looking at this until more options have been researched," Conner said.

Former Google software engineer Raymond Sidney donated $1.6 million to complete the installation of the all-weather track and lay down artificial turf on the football field.

The issue will be reagendized for September's meeting of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.

-- Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.