By JONATHAN SNYDER
Dilapidated fencing and dirt for a baseball diamond at Lions Park will be salvaged and the land reseeded for a grassy play area, a decision approved by the Bluffton Park Board on Thursday.
Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter stated that there has been some interest for soccer in that area. John Gerber supported the decision, noting that soccer has seen an increased interest throughout the United States for some time. The board also decided that the diamond dirt will be salvaged and sent to other diamonds that need it.
The board also approved Fiechter’s recommended hirings for pool managers and maintenance positions, lifeguards, concession workers and managers along with general park maintenance staff. Fiechter mentioned there were an “abundance” of applicants for this summer and that she’s really happy with the group she is bringing in.
Regional tournaments for high school girls’ tennis will have three courts from Washington Park available to them, thanks to Park Board approval. While the main courts used will be at Bluffton High School, the Indiana High School Athletic Association notified the department that they needed some extra space. The courts will be used May 21-22 from 3 p.m. to sundown.
The board also approved Family Center Services’ request for Pickett’s Run Park to play host to their annual duck race. The event will take place Aug. 10 with the race starting at noon.
The board also heard updates from Bluffton Youth Baseball and Softball while approving both organizations to use baseball diamonds at Roush and Jefferson Parks. Gary Napier of Youth Baseball stated that they will hold a calendar fundraiser for their teams this year and dropping the home run derby and hit-a-thon. Napier also mentioned that the Koufax league, Bluffton’s travel baseball program, will only have one 12-man team this year.
Bluffton Softball, however, is growing this year. Currently, it is estimated that 182 girls have signed up for softball this year with more sign up session to go. Softball typically sees 180-187 girls sign up every year. Because of this some practices will be held at the smaller diamond at Jefferson Park.
The board was also notified that the department has started on siding work for the pool house, and that Wayne Asphalt will need to dig up some of the parking lots in Lancaster Park when they start to build the pickleball courts. Fiechter believes that Lancaster Park may need to be fully shut down so the work can be done.
The board also thanked donors from various events, along with two unrestricted donations from Huggins-Mann Pretzels Incorporated’s Legacy Fund for $3,800 and Tri-Kappa for $200. Donations for races throughout Wells totaled $6,600 and money for Kehoe Park’s Summer Concert Series totaled $16,150. Fiechter mentioned that they are about at the halfway point of their goal for the concert series.
Fiechter also mentioned that the Daddy Daughter Dance on Feb. 18 was a very busy night, with 63.5 total volunteer hours recorded that day. Fiechter also hopes that the warmer weather will see more pavilion rentals. The department saw six total rentals throughout last month.
jonathan@news-banner.com
