Youth softball group asks Assembly to waive field fees at Alcantara to fund restoration work

Tanner Baird, head coach for the Alaska Polar Fastpitch 16U team, asked the Assembly during audience participation to waive field-usage fees for the organization at the Alcantara Sports Complex. Baird said waiving fees would allow the nonprofit to invest savings into field restoration and improvement and reduce pressure to raise athlete fees.

Baird said the organization operates four divisions and pays roughly $2,000 per month for fields; adding an 18U division next season would increase monthly use and revenue contribution. "By waiving these fees, we can redirect those funds towards the field restoration and improvement," Baird said, adding the organization plans to contribute sweat equity and labor and does not expect the borough to front materials or labor.

Why it matters: The request is a local request to reduce usage costs for a youth nonprofit and to support facility upkeep through partner investment rather than borough capital funds. The request would affect Alcantara's scheduling and potentially reduce borough fee revenue for fields.

Clarifying detail: Baird said the team typically uses fields six to seven months annually and estimated waiver-related savings would allow about $12,000 to $14,000 annually to go toward restoration if fees were waived. He asked the Assembly for partnership rather than full borough funding.

Next steps: The Assembly did not rule at the meeting; the request was recorded for follow-up and possible action by Parks and Recreation or the borough’s facilities staff per existing field-use policy.