lawrenceburgnow.com

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Rotary Club Plans Ahead For New Park Stadium

   Members of the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club addressed the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Council during their bi-monthly business meeting Thursday to introduce preliminary plans for a new stadium at Rotary Park.

   Spokesperson Jack Grinnell addressed the board, offering research compiled by a club committee in regards to the project. The current stadium, Grinnell pointed out was constructed in the 1940’s and is showing considerable signs of wear and tear.

   Grinnell showed photographs of rusted I-beams at the structure and indicated that the covered roof area of the grand stand is beginning to show such signs of age, as well. Although work is completed each year on the structure, Grinnell said the stadium area “barely meets fire and safety codes” in its present state. “It has come to the end of its life,” he explained.

   The bleachers in the covered section, Grinnell pointed out, were constructed in the 40’s, the cover added in the 70’s and the uncovered aluminum bleachers were added in 1981. Should the project be undertaken, he said the club would allow the city to use the aluminum bleachers wherever need – such as a field at Bobby Brewer Memorial Park.

   Grinnell said that the club spends between $4,000 and $6,000 each year prior to the Middle Tennessee District Fair in order to make repairs to the seats and steps at the grand stand. The entire structure, however, is not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires access for those in wheelchairs and with other types of disabilities.

   While the current stadium can accommodate between 3,000 and 3,500 individuals, Grinnell said the planned structure would increase seating by 1,500. The planned structure would move the press box aloft, to an area that is not “in the way.” Also, the plan provides for a permanent, covered stage.

   The group would like to begin phase one of the project just after this year’s fair. If the project got underway the second week of October, Grinnell said it could be completed in a 90 to 120 day window, allowing the project to be completed before the annual tractor pull event; the next large annual event. Since the 2011 fair will be the “Centennial Fair,” Grinnell said they would like to complete the project prior to that.

   The Rotary Club, Grinnell said, has committed funds in the amount of $25,000 just for the planning phase. The entire project cost, he said, would run around $1.2 million.

Since the park is owned by the city and leased by the Rotary Club, he explained that city leaders would have to step in and obtain a bond issue to cover the entire cost. The club would then pay off the debt through the collection of funds from various events.

   Grinnell told leaders that the club has already applied for a $50,000 grant through the Department of Agriculture to assist with a portion of the project. They also anticipate applying for $200,000 in Rural Development Grant funds.

   “We really feel that this is a win/win situation for the city, for the citizens, and for our club,” Grinnell pointed out.

   Council members expressed their desire to take the matter under consideration before taking any formal action.

 

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