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Parks and Recreation director: no current ball‑league contract, MLK events scheduled
Summary
David McGowan, La Verne Parks and Recreation director, told the board Jan. 7 that the city currently has no ball‑league contract and that the probability of fielding baseball or softball leagues this season is "slim to none."
David McGowan, director of La Verne Parks and Recreation, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Jan. 7 that the department does not have a current baseball/softball league contract and that the likelihood of fielding leagues this season is low.
"We do not have a current ball league contract," McGowan said. He later added, "the probability of having a baseball or softball program is gonna be slim to none because there's a lot of wheels that has to go into works to make that happen." The department discussed miscommunications and legal and policy constraints that have prevented a quick resolution and said staff will continue work on soccer programming.
McGowan described steps the department is taking to engage partners and draft plans: he said Parks and Recreation will meet next Friday with an organization to share ideas and that staff and legal counsel have been consulted during the dispute over the league contract. He emphasized the department does not make decisions lightly: "When those decisions are made, it's always with the best interest of La Verne and the taxpayers in mind."
McGowan also reviewed December events and upcoming programming. He reported 74 help‑desk tickets and 547 staff hours in the reporting month, and noted recent events including the Dec. 7 Parade lights and winter festival. Upcoming events announced to the board:
- Martin Luther King Day celebration, 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at La Verne Middle School Auditorium, 382 Stones River Road; guest speakers Pastor Joe Randall and Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver; musical guests include Michael Tate, Adam Agee and Jeff Frankenstein of the Christian band Newsboys (Michael Tate will perform a new song, "Color").
- Father‑daughter dance, Feb. 1, at La Verne Middle School, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; music, refreshments and a photo booth are free and open to all.
McGowan told the board the department has been unable to reach a contractual resolution in time for the upcoming season and thanked the community and league volunteers for their efforts. He urged patience while staff and legal counsel work through policy constraints.
The board received the report and asked no formal motion on the league item; members noted the discussion and expressed appreciation for efforts by Parks and Recreation staff. The MLK Day event was promoted by aldermen and staff during closing remarks.
