Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Operator of Musgrave Ballpark urges council to consider youth fields amid possible sale
Summary
During public comment at the Oct. 9 Shelbyville City Council meeting Samantha Galbraith, who operates Musgrave Ballpark, urged the council to consider how a possible property sale would affect youth sports and local tournaments.
Samantha Galbraith, who identified herself as the owner of Gasport Gaming Gear and the manager/operator of Musgrave Ballpark, spoke during public comment at the Shelbyville City Council meeting on Oct. 9, pressing council members to consider the future of the town’s ball fields if a property sale proceeds.
Galbraith asked whether the city would purchase the entire property or only the ballpark portion and asked what would happen to about 10 acres on the west lane side if a sale closed. She urged the council to consider multipurpose fields that can be used for baseball, softball and soccer, saying such designs have been used in other states to make the most of public dollars.
Galbraith told council she had helped an environmental sampling team on the property as part of a Phase I environmental assessment. She asked about a timeline for when youth groups might be able to use the property if a purchase were finalized. The council reminded her that public comment is the forum for statements rather than back-and-forth questioning; staff said environmental investigations are ongoing.
Mayor replied that the city had not purchased the property and that the council was still gathering information. The mayor said, “As far as my personal opinion, I don't think that's a property we need to buy,” while adding that the council would continue to consider options.
Councilman Duggins thanked Galbraith for her work on the property and emphasized the council was taking the issue seriously, noting personal ties to the park; he said he had played the fields and that a field there is named after his father.
Galbraith said the ballpark hosts tournaments that generate substantial weekly traffic, citing fall tournaments that brought teams from Unionville and Rockville, and said she estimates about 4,000 people pass through the park weekly during active use. She asked the council to consider whether properties elsewhere could accommodate tournaments if this site is sold.
The council did not take action on the sale at the Oct. 9 meeting; members said they would keep the public informed as staff gathers more information.
Provenance: public comment portion of the Oct. 9 meeting; Galbraith’s remarks and mayoral response are on the meeting transcript.
