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Park being readied for Little League |
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Written by Andrew Powell
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Friday, 12 March 2010 |
McCreary County Little League will open the 2010 season next month at the new county park.
McCreary County Little League will open the 2010 season next month at the new county park.
Officials working with the Park Board announced Monday evening final steps are being taken at the facility in anticipation of an April 17 opening day. The event will mark the beginning of a new era for outdoor recreation in McCreary County, especially for Little League participants. The organization was displaced two years from fields at the McCreary Center Campus and have had to weather difficulties in park development.
“This is something the community has looked forward to for the last couple of years,” said Randy Kidd, Park Board member and newly appointed President of Little League.
Kidd told Park Board members Monday evening that fencing is being installed on two of the four fields on the site. Installation should be done in the coming weeks. Kidd gained approval Monday for the fencing company to move forward with the two other fields.
Kidd said that while all amenities may not be in place for this season, the organization will move forward. Kidd is working with officials from the Pine Knot Job Corps to install dugouts for this season, but permanent seating and a concession stand will not be in place at the beginning of this season.
“But, we should be fine with that. I think most people are content sitting around the field in their own chairs,” Kidd said. Kidd said Pepsi would contract with the organization to provide concessions.
Park Board members are also working to get a playground in place before the start of the season; an amenity to serve children who may be waiting their turn to take the field.
Kidd invited Park Board members and the public to join at the park at 11 a.m. on April 17 for opening day ceremonies.
As the public gather at the site for the beginning of Little League season, they should also see another beginning taking place at the site. J.C. Egnew, Park Board Chairman, said a meeting would be held on March 17 with the contractor in charge of construction of the multi-generational center. Following that meeting, Egnew said, construction of the 8,000 square foot center to serve seniors and area youth should begin.
“It will be very exciting to see that construction taking place,” Egnew said. He hopes to finalize plans for a groundbreaking ceremony on March 29 to commemorate the start of the building project.
In other news, the Park Board agreed to provide up to $12,000 in funding to aid in development of a massive shelter at the Sandhill 4-H Camp. The camp advisory board, along with members of the Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival, approached the Park Board regarding a project to construct a 7,500 square foot covered shelter at the site, a structure that will aid the popular bluegrass festival.
The group is approaching a local businessman with a request to purchase construction materials salvaged from the Whitley City Flea Market on North U.S. 27. If those materials could be acquired, the organization will use the allocated funding for the purchase, as well as the purchase of other materials and labor for the project.
“If we can afford to do this, I think it will be worthwhile project,” said Park Board member Austin Price. “The Blazin’ Bluegrass is a great attraction for this county.”
“It definitely will be good if it can be done,” Egnew added.
With allocations from the county’s occupational tax, the Park Board is not only charged with development of a new county park, but oversight and maintenance of the Sandhill Camp as well. A new shelter would be the latest of many amenities added to the historic campground and recreation area since occupational tax funds became available for park development.
The McCreary County Park Board meets on a regular basis with their next scheduled meeting set for Tuesday, April 6. |
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