By GLEN WERLING
The newest member of the Ossian-Jefferson Township Park Board, Jared Kurtz, suggested to his fellow board members Monday night that they should consider revamping the town’s baseball program.
Kurtz, one of the operators of the Aces youth travel league, said that one of the complaints he has heard most from people he knows about the program is that the fee per child jumped to $90. That, he said, could be discouraging some parents from having their child participate in Ossian’s league, especially since Bluffton’s leagues are only charging $30 per child.
There are 141 children signed up to participate in the Northern Wells League.
The town charges the individual participants $17.50 each, Martin said, expressing concern that most people probably think it’s the town’s fault that the price of participation is so high. Kurtz did not think that was the case.
Martin said she has not yet received payment yet from the league.
The board gave Kurtz its blessing to start working on a reset for the program for 2023.
Kurtz also informed the board members that the diamonds are in good shape and kids are already starting to practice on them.
Martin added that the minor league concession stand is down and there’s about a half roll-off dumpster of debris to still haul away.
Martin informed the board that she has successfully rented out the Archbold-Wilson Event Center for June except for one Sunday. She added that there are two sponsored concerts but sponsors are still needed for the others.
The board discussed ways to get more sponsorships for the concerts. Anyone interested is asked to call Martin at the Ossian Town Hall, 622-4251, during regular business hours.
Martin also informed the board members that the new basketball backboard is up at Melching Park. She said it’s supposed to be unbreakable, but the last board was also supposed to be unbreakable and yet vandals found a way to smash it with a brick.
Parks supervisor Ron Privett is in talks with a local contractor about fabricating a pole to post at Archbold-Wilson Memorial Park to put a backboard on so that there could be a court there. The plans are to use the skateboard park, which currently sees little use.
Board members Kurtz, Meagan Luce, Tim Rohr, Gary Guenin, and Jenni Milholland reviewed the budget for March and the current funds available. They also discussed getting started on the next five-year plan and agreed to hold their next meeting June 6.
glenw@news-banner.com
