Fort Smith officials talk softball fields, upkeep

Designs for new softball fields to be built at Ben Geren Park were presented to the Fort Smith Board of Directors' noon study session today (April 30), but not without some harsh words directed directly at Sebastian County's maintenance of the current softball fields at the park.

In his presentation to the Board, Fort Smith's Parks and Recreation Director Mike Alsup presented designs for two softball fields jointly valued at $1.1 million.

“These lighted fields will have Tif Bermuda outfields and specially conditioned clay infields that will provide optimum field conditions for play in all weather," he said. "The project includes a concession and restroom building and parking."

The fields and facilities, which Alsup described as "world class," will be built west of the existing fields along a road known as Golf Course Loop.

The new softball fields are scheduled to be voted on at the Fort Smith Planning Commission's May 14 meeting, Alsup said, with the project going to bid the next day.

He told the Board to expect a contract to be presented at its June 18 meeting.

After his presentation, Board members expressed doubt in the ability of Sebastian County to be able to maintain the new softball fields, which was agreed upon as part of an interlocal agreement signed after the city's quarter-cent sales tax was approved in March 2012.

"What you have there is a world class facility and what they have out there now is not being maintained as a world class facility," Director Keith Lau said to Alsup.

"I'm very hopeful that once everybody gets to play on these fields that the rest of the fields will be converted into this type of infields and outfields and they will come up to this standard," Alsup responded.

Asked by Director Pam Weber how Alsup would hold the county to maintaining the facility to "world class" standards, he said he would work with county officials to ensure the facility is maintained to proper standards.

"I'll work with the county (parks and recreation) staff, and as much as I have to help them, I'll help them understand how to best take care of this. I've been through this kind of thing before,"

Director Philip Merry suggested having further assurances from County Judge David Hudson beyond what is included in an interlocal agreement between the two governments.

"Mike, when you come June 18 with the contract and ready to go, is it out of line to ask the county judge to give you a letter to bring to us that they are aware we're going for excellence and they promise to take care of (the ballfields)?"

In a telephone conversation following the meeting, County Judge David Hudson said he welcomed further scrutiny of the county's operations and maintenance plans.

"If the Board of Directors wants a review of the agreement and the terms of the type of maintenance we have set out, I will be more than happy to engage the city administration to address that and would look forward to doing that," he said. "My goal and objective is a winning partnership for the children and the men and women who play there."

In discussing the Board's concerns, Hudson did acknowledge some of their concerns had merit.

"I acknowledge that Ben Geren Park was constructed in the 70s and adjustments to the facilities have been needed," he said. "If you look at the tennis complex, you'll see that that has been addressed and the parking has been improved. But anytime you have construction that was put in through funds in the 70s, it does have a useful life and it does take ongoing maintenance."

By the city and county partnering to build the new fields, he said the county would be better positioned to maintain the fields.

"One of the advantages to the taxpayers is when the county and the city combine resources to benefit the (community)," he said. "I'm always looking for partnerships and a win, win solution and the amount of resources that local governments have, just like individual families, is going to be limited. So the better we work together, the more efficient we can be in spending our limited resources and this partnership helps promote that."

The land where the softball fields will stand, along with the land for the new Ben Geren Aquatics Center, have all been annexed into the city of Fort Smith as a part of the partnership, according to Hudson.

Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack said the city will reimburse the county in excess of $10,000 per year for ongoing maintenance of the softball fields.

He added that no bonds were issued to pay for the fields. The quarter-cent sales tax will provide enough money for the city to pay cash for the project, he said.

In other business, the Board of Directors heard a presentation on the city's comprehensive plan update. The same presentation was given to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee at last night's first meeting of the 18 month process.