Council approves joint‑use agreement to maintain and use two elementary school fields

The Mount Holly City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with Gaston County Schools and Gaston County Parks and Recreation on April 28, authorizing the city to maintain two elementary school athletic fields and receive first‑use rights outside school hours.

Parks staff described the proposal as a low‑cost opportunity to relieve pressure on Tuckaseige Park by moving some youth practices and games to Pinewood Elementary soccer field and Catawba Heights baseball field. Parks Director (presenting) said the county has been maintaining elementary athletic facilities but is considering returning some maintenance responsibilities to local partners; Mount Holly staff proposed taking on maintenance of the two fields in exchange for scheduling priority for city programs.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend the MOU prior to council consideration. Councilmember remarks supporting the measure referenced traffic reduction at Tuckaseige Park and opportunities to expand programming. There was discussion of possible future sharing with middle‑school or church gyms and fields.

Council action: Ms. Harris moved to approve the joint‑use agreement; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote.

Outcome and next steps: City staff will execute an MOU patterned after the existing agreement for the old gym and proceed with maintenance and scheduling; staff said the net budget impact would be minimal (additional mowing and field preparation), and the arrangement could reduce nightly vehicle counts by shifting some youth games to the school sites.