Parent-led volunteers finish ballfield; board asked to OK water hookup

Evan Cunningham, a parent and youth baseball coach, told the Crow‑Applegate‑Lorane School District board the community has largely completed a volunteer renovation of the district baseball field and needs the district's go-ahead on water and electrical hookups to finish the project. "So, basically, I'm kinda at that point where I've decided I'm all in on this baseball thing for the kids," Cunningham said.

Cunningham walked the board through his plan to run power from the existing P4 splice at the backstop and to run a water main from the pump house up the access road to the outfield, with timed sprinklers for turf and manual hose bibs at first and third base. He said local contractors and suppliers have pledged material and labor: HD Fowler offered pipe and parts, Pacific Northwest Electric pledged electrical labor, Rexius/Kipco supplied infield material and grass seed, and families and local haulers donated time. Cunningham said log sales for the project yielded about $2,300, he has spent roughly $800 on backstop materials, and a family contributed $500.

Board members and staff pressed for a technical check before any district connection. A district representative said Oregon Waterworks is scheduled to inspect the pump house to confirm whether the district's system can supply the pressure needed and whether backflow prevention and isolation would be required. The administration recommended hiring a professional to determine whether upgrades would be needed before any permanent tie-in.

If the assessment shows the system can support irrigation with appropriate isolation devices, Cunningham said he will complete the remaining electrical trenching and finalize materials. The board did not take immediate action but directed staff to review the Oregon Waterworks report and return with recommendations at a subsequent meeting.