Agenda - Council - 07/10/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background: NEED FOR ADDITIONAL BALLFIELDS By= Merland Otto Mrs. Bev Swanson, President of RYAA, appeared before the Parks Commission on May 10 and on June 13 to inform the Commission of the demand for ballfields to serve City residents. She stressed the need to provide more playing fields as soon as possible with the immediate need for two more fields for next year. A few highlights of the information she provided are that 62 baseball/softball teams are being accommodated on 13 fields, five of which are on the elementary school grounds. The number of teams requires that games be scheduled late in the evening. This creates a problem with younger children and particularly is a problem since only two fields are lighted. The number of youth participating in Ramsey's organized recreation program increased 30% last year on top of 25% increases in each of the prior two years. Based on the number of late registrants and continued growth of the city, the number of participants is expected to increase next year by at least 25%. It was conveyed to Mrs. Swanson that no funds are available in this year's budget for ballfields. It was also conveyed that in order to have playable fields next spring, those fields would have to be developed this year to establish turf for a playing surface. Mrs. Swanson was informed that she could present her case to the City Council for consideration. Observations: The 1991 budget request of the Park Commission was approved by consensus on June 13. The budget request includes development of two softball fields at Central Park and lighting of the two north existing fields. Estimated cost of these two items including extension of the irrigation system to the two new fields and overhead is $234,000. The park proposed near Windemere Woods, Chestnut Hills and Cedar Hills is anticipated to acco~odate one soccer and one softball field. It is conceivable dependent on the developer's schedule that these ballfields could be developed yet this year. An irrigation system would not need to be installed immediately since City water would be available within the plats. The portable irrigation sprayer which the City is renting could be used here, if necessary and timely, to possibly provide playable fields next spring. Obviously, this would only provide short term relief due to the number of new houses anticipated within the immediate plats.