Elizabethtown Council hears pitch to lease 700 W. Bainbridge St. for new athletic fields

At its April 2, 2026 meeting, the Elizabethtown Borough Council heard a presentation from Spencer Heisey and Laura Wentling, representatives of the Elizabethtown Bears Club, requesting a long-term lease of borough-owned property at 700 W. Bainbridge Street to develop new baseball fields and a building for wrestling.

Heisey and Wentling told council members that existing fields and facilities are not sufficient to meet current community needs or projected growth. The presentation described the request as a long-term lease; the minutes record no formal proposal language or lease terms and no motion to authorize negotiation.

Council members acknowledged the shortfall of athletic fields during later council remarks. Councilmember Jay Hynicker asked about pedestrian crossing signs and raised concerns about the lack of athletic fields in the borough, and Councilmembers Andrew Schoenberger and J. Marc Hershey also noted the shortage of space for community sports. President Jeff Winterborne and other members expressed interest in further conversations with the Bears Club but did not direct staff to take a specific action at the meeting.

Borough Manager Ann Roda did not record a timetable or financing plan in the minutes; the presentation was recorded as an initial request and a basis for future conversations. No public comments were recorded during the meeting.

The council did not vote on the lease or any related agreement. Council members signaled a willingness to continue discussions; next steps, including any staff analysis, site review, or formal motion, were not specified in the minutes.