Residents urge coalition to repair Merrill Civic Center field for Pop Warner football

Paul and Shelly Northcutt urged the City of Merrill to back a local coalition to restore the Civic Center recreational field for Pop Warner football, saying the site has deteriorated over the past decade and that prior promises from the Park District to improve the field were unfulfilled. The Northcutts spoke during public comment at the Aug. 13 city council meeting.

They described specific work they say is needed: reshape the playing surface to add a crown, reseed, eliminate varmint/gopher holes, install a scoreboard and new goal posts, upgrade lighting, improve spectator stands, and formalize parking and entry gates. Paul Northcutt said Pop Warner previously partnered with the Merrill Lion’s Club for field use but that competing location options and a lack of Park District buy-in have hampered repair efforts.

The Northcutts said they would seek donations and volunteers but emphasized that successful repair requires cooperation from the Park District and the local community. Public Works Director Matthews told the council that crews had filled varmint holes after the Lost River Bluegrass Festival but that the holes reappeared within days; he offered the city's operational support, including coordinating parking. Councilor Johnson said he has access to a machine that could help eliminate gophers at no cost, and Mayor Guthrie said he would contact a trapper known as Andy, who works with federal and state agencies.

Jarrod, identified in the meeting as "with Kingsly Field," expressed his own interest in updating a playing field for children, but Paul Northcutt said he did not want to pursue a partnership that would create competition for sites. Shelly Northcutt described issues around multiple entrances and said Pop Warner spectators had been directed not to park at the Civic Center; Public Works Director Matthews volunteered to coordinate parking with Mrs. Waldrip.

The Northcutts said the immediate priority is reshaping the field; lighting and other upgrades would follow. The council made no formal directive to fund the work during the meeting; Mayor Guthrie and Public Works staff indicated they would follow up with the Northcutts and the Park District. The exchange concluded without a formal council decision; the matter may be referred to the Park District for any action that falls outside city authority.