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Commissioners consider $676,000 turf expansion for ball diamonds; staff to seek city, foundation and financing support
Summary
County staff and sports promoters asked commissioners to commit to expanding artificial turf to the back four diamonds at the county sports complex. The estimated price tag and a roughly $210,000 shortfall prompted the board to direct staff to pursue grant and partnership options and to ask the city and community foundation for support.
Decatur County officials and recreation staff on Feb. 3 discussed expanding synthetic turf from the front four ball diamonds to the back four at the county complex and instructed staff to pursue funding partners to close a reported shortfall.
Parts Department lead Rob Ehoff presented estimates and revenue projections for extending turf to the back four diamonds. He said the current estimate provided by vendors for the back four is about $676,000; the county has roughly $345,000 available from previously allocated recreation funds, leaving an approximate $210,000 gap.
Why it matters: Proponents told commissioners that turf would let the county host more tournaments, increase annual revenue, and reduce weather-related cancellations. Promoters from USSSA and a vendor from AstroTurf described near-term tournament interest and production lead times.
Supporting details: Rob Ehoff introduced Joey Rollins of U-Trip/USSSA and Kevin Chrisman from AstroTurf. Ehoff said front-four turf work has been contracted (a production payment of about $338,472.65 was referenced elsewhere in the meeting) and that AstroTurf can move from the front four into production of the back four if the county commits. He said the back four would require more material and would likely cost more than the front four. The county's conservative annual revenue projection from tournaments and concessions on the expanded facility was shown as roughly $207,000.
Commissioners and vendors discussed options to close the funding gap. Ehoff said AstroTurf can defer payment until its fiscal year end (Dec. 15, 2025) and may offer flexible terms. Commissioners asked staff to approach the Decatur County Community Foundation and the city for potential contributions; county staff also asked AstroTurf and a local bank rep to outline financing options to cover the shortfall if grants or city funds are not available.
Other related items: Ehoff presented a separate estimate to fence and secure the complex (line items discussed included a roughly $18,576 charge and smaller groundwork items) and said sponsorship opportunities for individual diamonds are being pursued. He also discussed contingency plans so scheduled tournaments would continue if portions of the complex must be taken out of service during construction.
Board action and next steps: Commissioners did not authorize immediate additional county spending at the meeting. They directed staff to seek community foundation grant support, approach the city about cost-sharing under an existing parks-cost-sharing framework, and return with financing proposals and firm quotes. Several commissioners expressed support for moving forward if outside funding or favorable financing can be secured.
Ending: Staff set a tentative deadline for a firm decision by the board—s second February meeting or the first March meeting so AstroTurf production schedules can be finalized.
