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Parks director details $257,000 pump track, athletic complex feasibility; youth sports leaders call for consolidated fields
Summary
Parks staff updated council on capital work including a planned $257,000 pump track at Hedges Warrior Park, a feasibility study showing potential economic benefits of an athletic complex, and ongoing seasonal programming; a public commenter urged the city to pursue consolidated youth‑sports facilities.
Bryce, presenting the Parks & Recreation update on June 15, told the council about capital projects, upcoming events and facility needs, including a pump track design and a feasibility study for a proposed athletic complex.
Bryce said council appropriated $100,000 for the pump track design and the department subsequently raised about $157,000 from local foundations and businesses, bringing the project total to roughly $257,000; design funding of approximately $7,000 had already been used to begin the process and the department hopes to break ground by the end of July with a three‑ to four‑week build window.
He also discussed a feasibility study the council had approved for an athletic complex, saying the study identified significant potential economic benefits for the region and revenue opportunities for the city. Bryce emphasized the long‑standing desire for improved facilities and noted that floodplain limitations at Hedges Warrior Park pose siting challenges.
Public comment: Kurt Malot, president of the Tiffin Big Sticks and the Tiffin Honor Games nonprofit, urged the council to pursue solutions. He said youth participation and local tournament traffic have grown sharply; his organization grew from 58 in 2015 to about 285 registered players this year (K–8), and tournament attendance generated fundraising and visitor spending that benefit local businesses. Malot called for consolidated, higher‑capacity fields to host more tournaments at one site.
Context and next steps: Bryce listed community events (band bash, Thursday Night Tunes, special‑needs swim), noted a parks operating deficit that relies on general fund support, and asked council to consider long‑term facility planning and funding options. Council and administration noted the two primary constraints: suitable site location (floodplain concerns) and upfront financing, and said staff will continue exploring options.
