Thursday, November 13, 2014
Loretto Aldermen Asked To Consider Construction Of Indoor Baseball/Softball Facility At Sports Complex
Members of a committee that oversees a memorial scholarship in Loretto have requested that city leaders consider allowing the addition of an indoor facility to benefit local baseball and softball players.
The matter was addressed during a meeting of the Loretto Board of Alderman Monday night. Loretto High School Coach Gary Lamm presented the proposal - the construction of an indoor facility for the school’s baseball and softball teams.
Lamm told board members that he had recently been approached by members of the Dustin Clark Memorial Scholarship committee. They told him that since Tennessee students will have the option of attending college without cost for a two year period, they have been considering a way to use the monies that have accumulated over the years, to benefit local youngsters in a different way.
The scholarship was established by the parents of Loretto High School’s Class of 1999 in memory of Dustin Clark, who had been killed by a drunk driver. Committee member Pat Littrell explained, “We decided that we could carry on like we had been and benefit one or two kids every year, or we could turn the money over to someone at the school to benefit a lot of kids.”
Littrell said that Clark was passionate about baseball and highly respected Lamm, who had been his coach, therefore the committee had approached him about using the funds to benefit the high school’s baseball and softball programs.
Although the high school has some indoor space they can use, Lamm explained, “There’s not enough room at the Loretto High School gym for all the sports that we have.” He said that the construction of an indoor facility would go a long way toward alleviating their lack of space.
Lamm and the committee have examined similar facilities in the area. He said that a facility they viewed in Cornersville is top-notch and would likely cost in excess of $100,000 to construct.
In comparison, he said a facility at Richland is more modest and could possibly be constructed for around $40,000.
Littrell said that there is currently more than $35,000 in the scholarship fund and that they are willing to donate the entire amount for the project.
She said that they would also donate the proceeds of a benefit baseball tournament planned for June. The only stipulation made by the committee is that the facility be named in memory of Clark.
Lamm said that he had spoken with several individuals who also expressed interest in making contributions. “All we’re doing,” he said, “is just asking for a place to build it.”
Lamm proposed constructing the facility at the Loretto Sports Complex adjacent to South Lawrence Elementary School, which is a city park. He pointed out, “This is not just for Loretto softball and baseball, the idea is it’s for the whole community.” He assured board members, “It’s not something that’s going to be shabby. I want it to look nice. It’s a reflection on us. It’s a reflection on the City of Loretto and I want to make sure it’s done the right way.”
Mayor Jesse Turner asked that they get some plans together so that the city’s parks board may look over them. He said at that point they will try to work out some sort of agreement regarding who would be responsible for maintenance and other such matters, then bring it back before the board for consideration.
Alderman Steve McMasters expressed, “I personally think it’s a wonderful idea if we can get everything worked out the way we need to. I think it’s honorable that folks are wanting to make it an investment in the community.”
