Hendersonville parks board approves tournament director, new women’s ball-hockey league and memorial bench; staff outline park projects and PigFest turnout

The Hendersonville Board of Parks and Recreation on Oct. 27 approved three event- and amenity-related requests and heard staff updates on park projects and last weekend’s PigFest.

The board approved an application from Tennessee Premier Girls Fast Pitch to act as an approved tournament director in Hendersonville, with board members requiring that the organization partner with the Hendersonville Civitan Club as part of the approval. Gary Hedrick, representing Tennessee Premier Girls Fast Pitch, participated by video. Andy Gilley, Parks Director, told the board that the city’s tournament calendar is heavily booked from late February through November but staff would work with the group to find available fields and dates. The motion to approve the tournament-director application (including the Civitan Club partnership) was moved by Board Member Head, seconded by Board Member Pike, and carried with no opposition recorded.

The board also approved a request from Ball Hockey Boot Camp to operate a women’s ball-hockey league in Hendersonville. Organizer Ashley Muson told the board the program would be ongoing, and staff said Sundays looked most workable because youth and roller-hockey leagues generally do not use the rinks that day. Board Member Rather moved approval; a board member seconded and the motion carried with no opposition recorded.

Separately, the Jay and Zeke Foundation received permission to place a memorial bench near Kids Kingdom in memory of Jesse and Zeke Binkley. Andy Gilley described the foundation’s prior community activity, including an annual free ice-cream event on Zeke’s birthday and other fundraising. Board Member Hellman moved the bench permit; Board Member Rather seconded, and the motion carried with no opposition recorded.

Staff reports and park projects

Recreation coordinator Miss Hamblin reported program updates including a preschool track meet held Oct. 19 that was moved to Hendersonville High School gym because of weather, and community events scheduled for early December: Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6 at Whitten Elementary (three sessions at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; registration opens Nov. 3) and a Special Friends Santa visit at City Hall on Dec. 8 (registration opens Nov. 3). Hamblin credited local sponsors including Morris Orthodontics, Lightbridge Daycare, Little Sunshine Playhouse and local businesses for supporting recent youth events.

Parks maintenance superintendent Trevor Cole told the board staff had completed ryegrass seeding on the city’s fields except the soccer fields removed from that program earlier, and said detailed playground inspections were underway after an insurance walkthrough. Cole said some older playground equipment will need replacement parts and that staff are identifying costs and parts. He also reported installation of three benches and that work is underway to repair lights on the memorial rotary fountain.

Parks Director Andy Gilley updated the board on several capital items. Heritage Park plans are about 90% complete and nearing submission for the planning commission; the skate-park contract at Veterans Park is in the contract phase and expected to go to bid soon; and contracts are signed for new LED lights and turf at Veterans Park and Field 5, with a target of mid‑February readiness for play. Gilley also said the maintenance-shop project is nearing final planning-commission review.

Gilley and other staff also reviewed recent event activity. Using the city’s Placer crowd-counting data, Gilley reported roughly 2,200 people in the park Thursday and about 3,500 for the Oak Ridge Boys concert Friday; he estimated Saturday attendance could be in the 7,000–10,000 range but said final numbers would be posted after accounting for receipts and bills. Mayor Clary praised staff, saying that despite large events “you couldn't tell that you had a big event going on” and commended staff for maintaining regular park services while handling a large festival.

What the board decided next

Votes at a glance - Approve Tennessee Premier Girls Fast Pitch as an approved tournament director in Hendersonville, conditional on partnership with the Hendersonville Civitan Club. Motion moved by Board Member Head; seconded by Board Member Pike; outcome: approved (no opposition recorded). - Approve Ball Hockey Boot Camp to operate a women’s ball-hockey league and use rink dates coordinated with staff. Motion moved by Board Member Rather; seconded: not specified; outcome: approved (no opposition recorded). - Approve request from the Jay and Zeke Foundation to install a memorial bench near Kids Kingdom. Motion moved by Board Member Hellman; seconded by Board Member Rather; outcome: approved (no opposition recorded).

The board also approved the meeting agenda and the prior month’s minutes by voice vote at the start of the meeting.

Looking ahead

Staff will finalize scheduling with tournament organizers and league operators to fit events into an already crowded calendar. Heritage Park plans will move toward the planning commission; the board expects work on skate-park, LED-lighting and turf projects to continue through winter with play-ready targets in mid‑February. Final PigFest financials and attendance reconciliations were expected later the week following the meeting.