July 22, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
Coach speaks out on condition of new softball fields
Administration says plan is in place to address issues
Coach speaks out on condition of new softball fields
DeMeyer also expressed his concerns during the district's operations and strategic planning committee meeting held 30 minutes before the full board meeting.
"My question is, I took a look around before this meeting, and about three weeks ago I sent an email out, when are those softball fields going to be done?" DeMeyer said. "Because right now, the infield is just full of weeds, and the outfield looks like grass, but it's all weeds."
School board president Ron Counter, an ex officio member of the operations committee, reminded DeMeyer that the members couldn't respond to his questions due to state and federal law.
"But we will pass on the information," he said.
"One more thing to add," DeMeyer interjected. "In three weeks, I think we have the all-class reunion. I know we want to show off what we've done, (but) you don't want to show them those fields because there will be some upset donors."
DeMeyer made similar remarks during the public comment portion of the school board meeting, urging the members to go out and look at the fields.
"We got two brand new softball fields behind the dome, and I request that you guys take a walk out there and look at those fields," he said. "Because I don't think they have them quite up to par yet. I don't know if we're done with that project completely or not, but if you guys could go out there, look at it and then address the issues."
He again mentioned the weeds growing in the infields of both diamonds, along with weeds in the bullpens and the outfield.
"Those fields will not be ready for us to play on next spring, unless you guys can do something drastic," DeMeyer stated.
Reached for comment Tuesday morning, district superintendent Eric Burke said there is a plan in place to get the fields ready for use next year.
"I see it as similar to taking care of all of the details in a building before the start of the school year," Burke said. "In checking this morning with maintenance they have a plan in place. They have already sprayed for weeds and that will be taken care of by next week."
"It was also slit seeded this week and will be fertilized by the end of this week," he added.
Burke said the district did have to wait on some things from the company contracted to provide landscaping for the fields, along with the outdoor practice field alongside the dome.
"Based on my conversation with Jeff Zdroik (supervisor of plant operations) and Bob Thom (director of business services) this morning (July 20), the fields will be ready in spring," he assured.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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