Fees waived for use of ball fields
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
DECATUR ó City council members voted Nov. 10 to waive the schoolís usage fees this year for the Edmiston Ball Park, but only after voicing their concerns about the way the school and Decatur Youth Sports used the fields last year.
Last year the school paid the city around $ 800 for the use of the baseball and softball fields, concession stands and bathrooms. It costs the city more than $ 500 for electricity to power the ball field lights.
At last monthís meeting, council member David Cook recommended waiving the fees in support of the financiallystruggling school district, but Mayor Bill Montgomery and other council members were concerned about the condition in which the school and the Decatur Youth Sports program left the fields last year.
High school athletic director Bobby King appeared before the council Nov. 10, along with Decatur Youth Sports leaders, to negotiate the use of the fields.
Last year the concession stand and restrooms were left in unsanitary conditions, Cook and Montgomery told the leaders. There were also maintenance issues with the way the fields were dragged.
ì We donít have the man power to be running back and forth to clean up every time, î Cook said.
The two groups agreed to meet with city parks manager Mike Liley to set up a maintenance plan for the fields.
ì All three groups ó the city, school and Decatur Youth Sports ó need to work together, î Robert Prelle said.
ì Summer sports has been a great addition to the city, î Montgomery said, ì We want to voice our concerns so everybody will be on the same page. î
King brought up the usage fee for the school.
ì I spent $ 800 on dirt for the fields and 20 hours of my man time tilling the fields, is there a compromise ? î he asked, pointing out that sports keep kids off the streets.
King volunteered to donate an old mower for dragging the fields, and Montgomery volunteered to donate the use of his tractor and front end loader.
After some discussion, the council voted to waive the usage fee for the fields.
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