A crowded city council chamber greeted members Monday night before their scheduled workshop session. Coaches, parents and players from local Little League teams were present to show support for a proposed redesign of the old East LaFollette softball field into a new complex that would allow baseball, softaball, football and soccer to be played there.
Football coach Steven Phillips spoke to council members and said they are the only team in the league without a home field. They currently rotate and use fields at CCHS, Caryville, LaFollette, etc. He said the proposed renovation of the athletic field and area facilities would greatly benefit the league and bring more visitors to games.
Brian Miracle, with the local baseball program, is proposing a county-wide Dixie Youth baseball program and said there have already been over 200 sign-ups. He did say, however, that Jellico will not participate since they are opting to remain with a Little League team which is separate from Dixie Youth leagues. He too stressed the benefits of a new and improved converted athletic complex for area kids to play.
Recreation head Johnny Byrge spoke of how they plan to overlap two fields to allow conversion from one sport to another so that baseball/softball, football and soccer can all be played there. He said some more porperty may be needed. There are plans to add on to the concession building, add seating, add new steps and update restrooms as well as the press box. Byrge said some aluminum bleachers from the old school can be used but new seats will also be needed, probably at a cost of about $12,000. All told, the cost of the project is estimated to be around $64,000. The money is not in the recreation budget but Hansford Hatmaker suggested that if the city put the money up, it could be eventually returned over time through admission fees, etc. Other possibilities suggested included asking for help from the county with Joe Bollinger saying ?this should be a joint venture?. Mayor Mike Stanfield said the money could come from the community fund. There may be grants availbale as well.
CCHS football coach Justin Price addressed council and spoke of the benefits to the high school football program this new complex would bring.
Overall, it appeard council was on board with the project and it has been placed on the agenda for next week?s regular council meeting.
The next item on the agenda concerned the new library. City Administrator Cade Sexton showed a floor plan of the new facility with its spacious areas that?ll hold a computer lab and a special children?s section among other amenities. Librarian Nancy Green confirmed there will be fourteen computers for public use in the new library?nine are brand new and five are older PCs from the current library.
Sexton said the roof of the new library is almost finished. The cost of the roof, however, has gone from the approved $17,000 to about $78,000. Hansford Hatmaker wanted to know why there has been an overrun. City Finance Director Terry Sweat said he hasn?t received the purchase orders from Dixie Roofing so he couldn?t say. Council agreed the extra money needs to be approved.
A part-time librarian position will need to be filled as well.
Cade Sexton also offered suggestions for a main sign in front of the new library. Should it be on the ground or up on the building? Council decided to allow the architect to come up with what?s best.
Another agenda item included additions to the city splash park. A bid of $21,860 has been received to make those additions. It was added to next week?s agenda for approval.
The city?s police department is looking to purchase an all-terrain vehicle to patrol along the new walking trails downtown. Chief Jimmy Jeffries presented feasible options on several models of various sizes, capabilities and costs. Discussion on this will continue next week at the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Wednesday, March 4th at 6:00pm. The meeting was moved up a day to accomodate some members who will be out of town on Tuesday the 3rd.
whitney houston dies dolly parton i will always love you beverly hilton hotel whitney houston found dead i will always love you whitney houston 2012 grammy awards powerball results
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.