Broadwater trust board approves $10,000 grant for Townsend Youth Baseball, contingent on maps

The Broadwater County Trust Board on July 8 approved a $10,000 grant request from Townsend Youth Baseball to reroof and refurbish dugouts and related field improvements at McCarthy Park in Townsend.

The grant will be applied to materials and related work for four cement dugouts and additional smaller T-ball/rookie-field structures, with the applicant providing cash and in-kind matching. "So realistically, it's gonna be a $7,500 cash match from us," said John Blythe, president of Townsend Youth Baseball, describing the project budget and matching contributions. Blythe said the project would focus on three fields at McCarthy Park and that local volunteers and a sponsoring contractor would provide labor.

The board's approval included an addendum requiring the applicant to provide maps and plans that identify the exact project locations and show any proposed interim fencing, drainage or other site details. Board members said such drawings should have been in the application package and asked the applicant to deliver them promptly.

Why it matters: The program supports youth recreation and field safety in Townsend. Board members described the project as consistent with prior trust-supported parks work and said the submitted match (cash and donated construction labor) made the request eligible under the board's guidelines.

Details: Blythe said Townsend Youth Baseball has grown from roughly 93 players four years ago to about 215 this year, fielding 18 teams across T-ball through high school. Project costs in the application list a $20,000 total project with a $10,000 grant request to the trust board, a $10,000 cash match from the league and $2,500 in in-kind labor/supplies (donated roofing materials/labor by a local construction company). Blythe identified the contractor and board member Jalen Schmucker and his company (JJKL Construction) as providing donated labor for roofing work.

Board action: The chairman moved to accept the grant. The motion was seconded and amended to require submission of the drawings; the board then voted to approve the amended motion. Board members said the maps and drawings should be submitted "ASAP," and the applicant agreed to provide schematics and a project map by the end of the day following the meeting.

Board context and limits: During discussion members clarified that McCarthy Park is city-owned (the county does not own McCarthy Park), while Connors Field is county-owned. The board emphasized that its grant supports local recreation projects but that site ownership and any required permitting remain the responsibility of the applicant.

What’s next: Townsend Youth Baseball will submit the requested maps and drawings and coordinate with city parks staff and the board's staff contact. The board said it would review those documents to ensure the grant conditions were met.