At a media briefing held today, City of Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and Council Member Steve Smith outlined plans to convert one baseball field at Faulkner Park into three softball fields to be used by the girl’s fast pitch softball league. The plan was developed as an outcome from stakeholder group meetings held with league representatives, elected officials and City staff.
The plan calls for the repurposing of the current Field One at the Faulkner Park baseball complex. The field will ultimately be divided into three softball fields for league play with one field being a premier field and two additional fields adjacent. Construction is expected to begin as early as next week on the first and second of the three new fields. The third field will likely be constructed next fiscal year unless private contributions allow for construction earlier.
The existing Field One has very little consistent use and presents the most cost effective solution to meeting the needs of the softball league. Existing infrastructure and lighting will be used at the new fields.
“By identifying an underutilized field and repurposing it, we are able to quickly respond to this need while not impacting other users, “said Mayor Bass. “By utilizing existing infrastructure and lighting, the cost will be a fraction of what constructing a new field would be. We currently have funding earmarked that may be used for this reconfiguration – so this solution seems to be the most viable.”
Funding for the reconstruction is currently available from a $150,000 reserve fund previously established to address the need for softball fields in Tyler. In addition, the planned construction of a new concession stand and bathrooms at Fun Forest Park will not be started and the funding will be used toward the new project. Construction of a second concession stand and bathrooms at Fun Forest Park adjacent to fields used by the Dixie League will proceed as planned.
The plan is intended to meet the immediate and near future needs of the fast pitch softball league. To meet the long term needs, a request will be made to the Parks Advisory Board to consider the development of a fast pitch softball field complex on the south east side of Faulkner Park in an area that is designated for sports fields in the Faulkner Park Master Plan. A future fast pitch complex may include an additional five fields to be used for softball if warranted and public/private funding is secured.
“We have requested funding in the 2008/2009 budget to develop a Parks Master Plan,” said Parks Manager John Webb. “This plan will allow us to apply for Texas Parks and Wildlife grants that could possibly offset the costs of construction of ball fields.”
The group considered repurposing a soccer field at Lindsey Park; however, it would be more costly to convert the existing soccer field, and add additional parking and restrooms, than to convert the underutilized baseball field at Faulkner. It was also felt that it was preferable to move the youth programs to Faulkner for the convenience of parents and fans.
Another consideration was to rework the schedule at Lindsey Park to make room for the girls’ league. This solution was not deemed viable because, on average, 24 games are already scheduled on the fields each night – with a total of 720 participants, which maximized the capacity at Lindsey Park. The alternative to convert Field One at Faulkner was originally suggested by James Vilade, the University of Texas at Tyler baseball coach and new athletic director.
“We are very thankful to Coach Vilade for bringing forth a solution that truly meets the needs of the community,” said Council Member Steve Smith who was tasked with putting together the stakeholder group to find a solution to this dilemma.
“I would like to thank the stakeholder group for their work and investment in finding a viable, cost-conscious solution that will meet our current and future needs,” said Mayor Bass.