Baseball, softball boosters seek board backing for district-owned indoor training facility

Coatesville baseball and softball booster leaders presented a proposal to the district’s operations committee on Aug. 12 asking for the board’s conceptual support to pursue a district-owned indoor training facility where existing batting cages sit behind the high school.

The boosters’ presentation, given by John Monahan of the baseball booster club and Megan Wimmer, president of the softball booster club, described a roughly 50-by-125-foot building with retractable nets and space for hitting, fielding and strength training. They said the booster clubs will seek private donations and in-kind contributions to cover construction and furnishings and estimated a total cost in the range of $100,000 to $200,000.

If the project proceeds, the boosters said, the district would retain ownership of the facility. The presenters said they have taken preliminary steps with Caln Township planners to check for permitting obstacles and have contacted contractors and architects but asked for the board’s informal blessing before spending on sign-and-seal plans.

"We don't want to get too deep into it until we get your blessing because, if we don't have that, this is dead in the water," John Monahan said. "We intend to fund the whole thing — we are not requesting any district funds."

Megan Wimmer added that the indoor space would allow teams to train year-round without the booster clubs renting outside spaces for winter work: "It would allow 12 months a year, which is attractive. Ironically, they're not really gonna use it much in the summer because we'll be outside, but it allows for winter training."

District staff and several board members pressed for more detail on ownership, utilities and operating costs. The boosters said they intend to donate the completed facility to the district and that ongoing expenses would likely be limited to lighting and modest heating in winter; they did not commit to a specific monthly operating-cost estimate and said they would return with detailed plans, cost estimates, permitting results and a proposed maintenance/usage agreement.

Operations committee members and the superintendent’s designee described the desired next steps: boosters gather sealed plans and final cost estimates, confirm permitting and utility requirements with the township and district facilities staff, then present a formal proposal and agreement for board approval. No formal vote to approve construction or commit district funds occurred at the meeting.

The boosters said they have begun outreach to donors and that architects (one family contact the boosters named in the presentation) have offered to help; they also showed an alternative, lower-cost option in case permitting or drainage issues require a scaled-back plan.

Committee members cautioned that a final proposal should include: projected monthly utilities and maintenance costs; insurance, liability and permitting obligations; a clear ownership and operations agreement; and a schedule for community and interscholastic use. The boosters agreed to return with the requested documents before any formal board action.

The presentation closed with the committee giving informal support for the boosters to continue feasibility work and to return with a formal motion and financial details for consideration at a future board meeting.