Local News
Fencing in ballpark project
By Barry Porterfield
Staff Writer
It’s a first pitch of sorts as Paul Valley city officials have decided to seek bids on fencing for a project meant to bring life to a youth baseball and softball complex.
The decision by all five city council members this week came after a presentation was given on the projected revenue that could come from a renovated Pauls Valley Sports Complex, located off Indian Meridian Street near state Highway 19 on the western side of the city.
Brent Sager, a member of a recreation advisory board, stressed new fencing is the next step for a park that could include two softball fields and another three for baseball little leaguers.
“Basically we’re at a yea or nay on things,” Sager said.
“It’s a matter of getting the approvals and then let the city do their thing. We’re just sitting on go waiting to get started.”
The council agreed, as an approved vote means city officials will begin the bid process for the park fencing.
“I say let’s go out for bids on the fencing and see where we’re headed,” Vice Mayor Billy Riddle said.
Last month Sager presented the advisory board’s proposed plan to renovate the park during the next couple of years.
To help cut some initial costs Sager said chain link fencing is being looked at for the park instead of more expensive metal fences.
Along with fencing, the plan calls for concession stand repairs, sidewalks and improvements to the infield areas with some stretching out through 2011.
Right now the plan calls for the fencing and concession upgrades to get done by January followed closely by the infield areas of two softball fields.
Two baseball fields would get infield upgrades after July 15, 2010.
Yet another improvement to the park could be the construction of a fifth field, which would be strictly for T-ball and could get done next spring with private funding.
During this week’s council meeting Sager used the scenario of a two-day, 16-team girls softball tournament to illustrate the possible income that could come from renovated ballfields.
Factoring in both revenue and expenses, the projection is the city could clear in the range of $9,700 with such a tournament.
“That’s a good size tournament. You’re talking about bringing 384 families into town,” Sager said.
“If we get (the complex) up and running we can start putting some of the revenue away and try and make this pay for itself,” he said.
“But it’s going to take some time. This is going to take some full-time attention to make this work.”
City Manager James Frizell agreed that tournaments on the ballfields, once renovated, will provide a big financial boost to the city.
“The direct money we see should go right back into it,” Frizell said.
“The real money is the indirect through the sales taxes.”
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