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North Platte council commits up to $80,000 toward Billwood Field bathroom and storage; Legion to match
Summary
The council authorized up to $80,000 from Newbern funds toward a new bathroom and storage facility at Billwood Field, requiring a 50/50 cost split with the Legion Baseball Board and naming Councilmember Pete Bowles as the city representative on the project.
The North Platte City Council on Feb. 18 authorized staff to continue discussions with the American Legion Baseball Board and committed city funds of up to $80,000 toward constructing a new bathroom and storage addition at Billwood Field, subject to a 50/50 cost split with the Legion and final council approval of design and contracts.
Council action directed that the funds come from the city’s Newbern capital fund and named Councilmember Pete Bowles as the council representative for ongoing negotiations and oversight. The council approved the plan after a motion, subsequent amendments clarifying funding source, split and representative, and a final vote to pass the item as amended.
Brett Geisler, vice president of the Legion board, described the proposal’s intent: “It would be to centralize the bathrooms . . . right behind the press box. Right now, they’re all the way down the third baseline, and it’s quite a jump to get to those. . . . If we’re able to do this, we’d hope to have it by April.”
City staff and Legion representatives said early estimates and existing bids place site work and concrete in the approximate $100,000 range, with remaining plumbing and HVAC bids still pending. Staff estimated the total project likely would be in the roughly $150,000 range; the council’s authorization caps the city contribution at $80,000, contingent on the Legion raising matching funds.
Lane, city staff, described ownership and precedent: because the bathroom and storage facility would be constructed on city property, the building would be city-owned, insured by the city, and maintained under the same arrangement used for other volunteer-supported park facilities. City staff suggested the Newbern fund as the likely source for the city’s contribution; council members then approved using Newbern funds by amendment.
Council members discussed possible fundraising partners and the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation as an avenue for tax-deductible gifts; the council asked staff to explore whether a foundation pass-through or similar mechanism could be used for private donations. Council also asked the Legion to pursue competitive bids and to coordinate timing so construction could proceed this spring if contractor availability allowed.
The final motion (as amended) authorized: up to $80,000 of Newbern funds from the city, conditioned on a 50/50 split with the Legion Baseball organization and appointment of Councilmember Pete Bowles as the council’s representative to continue negotiations. The council directed staff to return any final contract or agreement for formal approval.
