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Parks meeting approves concept layout for new Taha softball complex
Summary
Parks staff presented and the meeting approved a four-field concept layout for the Taha softball complex, funded in part by LWCF; construction bidding is expected in about a month and full paving depends on future funding.
City parks staff presented a concept design for a new softball complex at Taha and members approved the current four-field layout.
Nate, a parks presenter, said the plan — funded in part by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) — would phase in four fields, provide two pedestrian exit routes rather than a single central path, and conceptually accommodate about 1,300 parking stalls if all fields were in simultaneous use. "We have 1,800 reservations I guess you could say," Nate said of last year’s field demand, underlining the need for more capacity.
The design shown to the group focuses initial work on the southern field, landscaping and trails, and grading that will leave additional fields ready for future installation. Nate said road and parking layouts remain at the concept stage and that paving and some infrastructure hinge on future funding: "We could do a gravel parking lots for now and kind of ease our way into that, but…we just don't have funds to pave that." He told members the project should go to bid in about a month and that the fields would be built by next summer, with a concession stand budgeted later in the year.
Members raised safety and operation questions about buffers, fencing and pedestrian flow; staff said outfield fencing would provide a 60-foot buffer tested against Memorial Field and that youth fields would be located so children would not need to cross the park road. The board also discussed numbering and naming fields and the potential for naming-rights fundraising.
Following discussion, a member moved to approve the current layout as designed; the motion was seconded and the assembly voted verbally in favor.
The decision forwards the concept for implementation planning and bidding; staff said more detailed cost estimates (including backstops, fencing, irrigation, lights and scoreboards) will follow the procurement process. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the vote was taken by voice.
