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Council weighs safety netting, portable fences and batting-cage funding for ball fields
Summary
Staff flagged safety concerns and unmet funding for field netting and portable outfield fences; council asked for price quotes and noted available limited budget items that might be reallocated.
Hurricane City staff asked the council to consider funding for several ballfield and park improvements after residents and users reported safety problems and tournament limitations.
Staff said the outfield distances at two softball fields are unusually deep for girls’ softball and tournament organizers have requested portable fences to allow appropriate field configurations. Officials said portable fences can attract more tournament teams because they allow standardized play and scorekeeping.
Safety concerns centered on a foul-ball protective net between Fields 2 and 3. Staff said multiple spectators had been struck by balls, prompting requests for protective netting that would also protect parked cars. The meeting record shows staff are seeking quotes and exploring alternative funding sources; one staffer said the city has about $2,500 currently budgeted for batting-cage work but that figure is insufficient to cover the netting needed.
A small proposed skate-park/pump-track project was also discussed. Staff said the park master plan identified a pump-track-sized parcel near the fields and that external grants had been sought, though a recent grant round closed before staff could complete an application. Staff expect a future presentation and cost estimates from community advocates.
Council members requested specific price quotes and clearer budget requests for the fencing, netting and batting-cage repairs before committing funds. No formal appropriation was made at the meeting.
