Sheldon council discusses park project

The Sheldon City Council held a special meeting Thursday, July 16, to discuss the continuation of improvements at the city's baseball field. In attendance were the Sheldon Mayor Rob Sewell, city council president Jerod Lamb and aldermen Robert Moran and Larry Gardner; Clara Smith was unable to attend. Several members of the park board were present as well, to voice their concerns.

The key issues discussed were making the field ADA compliant as well as the size and shape of the concrete pad to be poured and the placement of the new concession stand. What to do with the old concession stand and how to best incorporate this improvement opportunity into any future plans for the facility were also taken into consideration.

The group discussed the cost of the construction and how it was important to stay within the $1,800 budgeted for the project. Practicality, aesthetics and safety were all considered. Since the money had been budgeted and the plan approved, the goal of the meeting was for all concerned to agree on what the final look of the improvements would be. Sewell addressed the park board, saying, "What does the park board want?"

The members of the park board stated they wanted a large L-shaped slab with a new concession stand and the old concession stand to be used for equipment storage. From that point it became a matter of choosing where to position the new stand.

A rough sketch was used to keep everyone on the same page and it was finally agreed that the new stand would set directly behind the backstop as it is on the fields in Lamar. The old stand, which is still structurally sound, will be used as a storage facility and there will be two ADA ramps offering access to the field from 7th and Main streets. Future improvements were considered and water and sewer amenities will be incorporated into the new structure to meet the long term goals of the park board.

The council moved on to the discussion of a tractor. Mayor Sewell presented some prices for having current machinery repaired and some preliminary figures and options for a piece of new equipment. The group discussed the prudence of such a large expenditure for a machine that would see limited use and agreed gather more information before proceeding.

The next item on the agenda was VC+ seed money. After a brief discussion on what the money would be used for and how it would benefit the city, the mayor motioned to donate $100. Alderman Gardner seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor of the donation.