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FLAFA, city discuss draft agreement for dugouts; $10,000 contributions proposed
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Columbus Park Board reviewed a draft agreement with the Forest Lake Area Fastpitch Association for construction of dugouts on three fields; FLAFA and the city each proposed $10,000 toward the project and the draft would make the dugouts city property.
At the Feb. 10, 2026 Columbus Park Board meeting, city staff and representatives of the Forest Lake Area Fastpitch Association (FLAFA) discussed a draft agreement under which FLAFA would build dugouts on fields 2, 3 and 4 at Columbus City Park.
FLAFA board members Matthew Rivard, Nick Rohne and Melissa Kohoutek told the board they intend to approve a budget for the work at their Feb. 15 meeting and asked to have a written agreement in place. City Administrator Jack Davis read the draft agreement aloud. Under the draft, FLAFA would construct the dugouts to city specifications, invoice the city for materials, and then transfer ownership of the completed dugouts to the city.
FLAFA representatives said they expect to contribute $10,000 and asked the city to match that amount; Rivard said he would use his contractor license to obtain permits and oversee the contractor and volunteer labor. The draft agreement includes operational terms that would grant FLAFA exclusive field rental rights for three years, with rental rates frozen at the 2025 reservation level, and contemplates offering concession rights during 2026–2028 with the Columbus Lions holding the first right of refusal.
Board members did not sign a final agreement at the meeting; Chair Brad Norling asked Rivard to contact City Administrator Davis to be placed on the next Park Board agenda with an update after FLAFA’s budget vote. The draft and the board discussion focused on funding, scheduling to minimize disruption to field use, and prioritizing work on fields 3 and 4 if funds are limited.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2026, when the dugout agreement could return for formal action if FLAFA provides its finalized budget and the city has necessary cost and schedule information.
