Lafayette council authorizes $85,680 for ballfield rehabilitation at Buckeye Fields

The Lafayette City Council voted Nov. 24 to authorize the release of $85,680 from the ball field rehabilitation sinking fund to pay for infield rehabilitation work at Buckeye Fields and other city ballfields.

Recreation Manager John Warshaw (SEG 389) told council a feasibility review showed that installing synthetic infields that can serve both baseball and softball would require six to nine months of engineering and design plus eight to 12 weeks of construction, and that full project scope including patio and drainage upgrades would exceed about $1,200,000. Because of that price and the absence of a dedicated funding source, staff said synthetic turf would remain a longer-term capital project.

In the shorter term, staff proposed a package of improvements across four fields — grading fixes, sod replacement, infield mix rehabilitation at Upper Community Park, and turf renovation at Lower Community Park — to address inconsistent infield dimensions and to provide a consistent baseline for ongoing maintenance. Warshaw noted $140,000 is available in the ball rehabilitation account and requested release of $85,680, which includes a 5% contingency. Council discussed maintenance commitments from user groups and confirmed that Little League and LMYA indicated they would help with ongoing maintenance.

Councilmember (speaker 3) moved to authorize the release; the motion was seconded and approved by the council with an 'Aye' vote.