|
Grand Island is expected to get eight new ball fields by 2010.
Grand Island businessman Monte Hehnke is leading a 14-member organization called the Grand Island Youth Baseball Association.
The organization has one main purpose the creation of a $2.3 million baseball/softball complex.
"There will be two Legion fields and six softball/baseball fields for any boy or girl ages 8 to 18 to play on," Hehnke said on Wednesday.
Final designs are being prepared, after which the project will take bids. Tax-exempt status for the organization will be pursued at the close of this spring's tax season, he said.
Hehnke expects fundraising for the complex to begin in earnest in November.
"Play should begin in 2010," he said.
The association is seeking to purchase about 40 to 60 acres for the complex. It's eyeing land between South Locust Street and Highway 281 near the Platte Generating Station.
Hehnke said the design and construction money is expected to come from private donations, but the association is looking to the city to maintain the new complex.
The reason for creating the new complex is to meet the field demand by both recreational and competitive ball teams.
"There's no place for these kids to play," Hehnke said.
"The places we do have are filled or they're in parts of town where you don't want to play."
Hehnke said some of the city's existing ball fields are 40 to 50 years old. Much has changed in that time for the number of leagues and the types of competitive play and travel clubs.
Want to comment on this article?
Register on our forums and post your thoughts.
It's free and easy to do!
independentforums.com
|
