Marshall park board approves drainage work on ball fields

Parks Director Jeff Stubblefield said Marshall Municipal Services has agreed to perform the work, but the park will have to pay for the materials, which are estimated to cost between $12,000 and $15,000. This will come out of the park improvement fund.

The work is necessary because the fields are "eroding rapidly" because of poor storm water drainage, Stubblefield said.

"If we don't do something quickly, we're going to start losing the outfields at fields two and three," he said. "... We can't afford to lose any ball fields."

Although he was unsure exactly when work would begin, Stubblefield said it would be no later than this fall.

The park will also be spending money on a new skid steer loader because the current one is more than 15 years old. Stubblefield said he has asked a local dealer for a bid on the equipment, but estimates it will cost about $25,000.

Also in his report, Stubblefield said the park was not approved for a grant to fund trail development. But, he is not giving up and has already begun applying for another trail grant.

Recreation Supervisor Lori Godsey spoke about the Aquatic Center in her report.

The pool will open Saturday, May 22, and she said some time during the summer, patrons will see something new at the pool.

"Be looking for a new feature over there," she said.

The pool will be closed to the public once Marshall schools begin in August, Stubblefield said, because too many of the staff members return to school.

"It's a safety issue," he said. "We just don't have enough people."

Last year, Godsey began holding meetings with representatives from other area pools, and now the group has decided to sell tickets to let patrons visit facilities in other towns.

For $25, families of up to five people can purchase a punch card that covers one visit at each of the participating pools.

As previously reported, the park has extended its day camp from five to 10 weeks, in reaction to the cutbacks in Marshall summer school. Godsey said the curriculum will feature all aspects of the park, including playing disc golf and working in the flower beds.

In addition to the day camp, the park will also be hosting free lunches on weekdays at 11 a.m. beginning June 7.

"It's an open site," Godsey said, which means that any child under the age of 18 is eligible to receive food.

Godsey also said the grill at the park's golf house will open for the season on Tuesday, April 20. It will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In his report, Dale McDaniel, manager of golf operations, said despite some inclement weather, March was a good month for the course.

He said Pocahontas ladies golf begins in April, and Tomahawk golf for men begins in May.

Board members Nancy Kleinschmidt, Sam Untiedt, Wayne Crawford, Mike Lamberson, Scott Fann, Ronnie Hill and John Angelhow were present for the meeting.

The board adjourned into executive session. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, May 5, at 7 a.m.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net