A spring and summer of constant baseball was too much for the 83-year-old Soden’s Grove infield to handle.
The field will be closed for the rest of the summer and fall to allow for repairs. The infield is badly worn out from high school games in the spring and American Legion action this summer.
About $10,000 worth of repairs will be needed to get the field ready for next spring’s Emporia High School baseball season. The Emporia Recreation Commission will have to foot the bill without benefit of a property tax increase set for 2011.
“Something has to be done now,” said Tom McEvoy, recreation commission director. “It’s going to be a struggle to shift the money around but we will get it done.”
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
SFIns (anonymous) says...
What they are really saying is... lets spend more tax dollars. What is going to happen everytime the river floods? Just because you have access to tax dollars doesn't mean you have to waste it.
August 16, 2010 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cypress (anonymous) says...
I wonder when the mud from a flood gets imbedded into the turf what kind of equipment will be necessary to wash/vacuum it out. I'm sure this equipment will be included in the purchase price. ha ha
August 16, 2010 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nks (anonymous) says...
Maybe it is the type of current routine maintanence being done on the field is why it is in such disrepair?
What I mean is,I am sure that this many games have been played on this field many times before, and it is not the first time the area has been flooded.
August 16, 2010 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
LOL thats is what I was thinking . Astro Turf in a flood plain
August 16, 2010 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
maybe a nine hole cours at soden's would fix everything... plenty of water there.
August 16, 2010 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
All of you nasayers just don't understand.
We are from the government. We are here to help you..
We have made do the last few years, but now we have our own mill levy to spend so look out. If you are against us, you area naysayer, and you don't care about the children. The whole Sodens grove park area is in a flood plain like Fanestil's .
Maybe the county comission can apply for a grant to move the ball diamonds AND the miniture train) to Jones park and turn the ball feild into a green space, (MUCH LIKE FANESTIL MEAT COMPANY)
August 16, 2010 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
s_holt (anonymous) says...
There have been 3 teams play on Soden's Grove for at least the past 4 years. Maybe a little water would have helped keep the grass green a little longer. I have been to many baseball fields (high school and american legion) that have multiple teams playing on them and none have looked as horrible as Soden's this year. I would like to assume E-High pays the city to maintain the fields, as well as the American Legion teams in Emporia. How is that money spent on the field up-keep? Isn't the most important thing to have children involved in SOMETHING during the summer, rather than sitting on their kiesters?
August 16, 2010 at 8:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Believe this discussion has been discussed before concerning another field and Astro Turf. Was stated that "about $10,000 worth of repairs will be needed to get the field ready for next spring's Emporia High School baseball season." The article continues to state that the Emporia Recreation commission will have to foot the bill without benefit of a property tax increase set for 2011". that increase is an additional $425,000 that is to be used largely for repairs and upkeep of recreation facilities.. My question is: if I understand correct they want to spend $250,00 on the golf course (Is that "public"?) Also, if my math is correct, that leaves $175,000 for Soden "McEvoy said he received a $650,000 cost estimate for turf a FEW YEARS BACK.". That's probably gone up now but it would still be less than the estimated $2 million for a new ballpark." NEW BALL PARK??
Now, isn't this TWO recreation facilities? What about the other various parks around the city? Just where is this money coming from when our city,county,state and federal government are crying because of lack of funds? More taxes???? Afraid Mr and Mrs. Joe. Public can only handle so much and they will be tapped out.Emporia population is down therefore taxes paid, less. How about alittle "common sense"?
I live in the county and not city, but this would scare the daylights out of me!!!!!
August 16, 2010 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MisterO (anonymous) says...
Isn't there a ball field at the High School? Why aren't the high school students using that?
Aren't there two ball fileds at Peter Pan Park?
Aren't there ball fields down by SW Santa Fe (next to Las Casitas)?
What about Sertoma Park? Aren't there ball fields there?
My point being...if the Soden's Grove field was having problems/being damaged from over use, why wasn't the use dispersed to other parks to help minimize the damage?
Tens of thousands of dollars of tax-payer money for astro turf?
Um..no. For God's sake - the taxpayers are BLEEDING OUT. STOP SPENDING!!!
How about better management instead?
August 17, 2010 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
MisterO
You just don't understand, If they just had the time to explain it to your dumb old butt but they don't. Suffice to say "IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN" Just leave it to tic, (those in charge), they are from the government and they are here to help.
August 17, 2010 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Their kind of help is scary
August 17, 2010 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )