A baseball field will replace the football field and track at Memorial Field, in the first of a multi-stage plan to repurpose the city’s park. The City Council on Nov. 10 agreed to the first stage of a five-stage proposal, to build a hardball field where the track and football field are located, presented by Oconto Falls Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Manns. Stage 1, estimated at $402,000, is to be funded through sponsorships and donations.
The Oconto Falls School District previously leased Memorial Field from the city and held football games, track meets, softball and baseball games there. With the aid of referendum funding, sponsors and a partnership with Panther Pride, the school district built a softball complex and ST Paper Stadium, equipped with a track and football field, at the high school.
Now Panther Pride has turned its attention to redeveloping the facilities at Memorial Field for baseball and softball. About 30 people, many of them members of Panther Pride, attended the City Council meeting.
Manns told aldermen she wasn’t asking for money, just the OK to move ahead with a plan to redevelop the park.
Alderman Kevin Rusch questioned whether the population of Oconto Falls had its say on Memorial Field’s purpose, before the city turns it over to be redeveloped. He spoke of sending a questionnaire to residents in their utility bills or holding a public meeting, before going ahead with the project.
Alderman Jay Kostreva called his attention to the crowded room; usually a handful of people attend the council meetings.
“We’ve got people here, Kevin, who want to donate money and that stuff, to improve our property, and we’re going to turn them down?” Kostreva said.
“Once this is turned into a baseball complex, it’s never going to go back,” Rusch responded.
Tom Trudell, a member of the city’s park and recreation committee, said people had plenty of opportunities to come forward to say what should take place at Memorial Field.
“This is an opportunity that we have. If we don’t take it now, we’re going to let down a couple clubs — the Booster Club, Panther Pride,” Trudell said. “These people have spent a lot of time and effort. They’ve done a fantastic job, from getting bids, getting the work lined up.”
Kostreva said it was time to act.
“It’s going to improve our property, and I think it will be a good asset to the community when people come by,” he said.
Alderman Don Osborne also expressed his support.
“We don’t have any plans for (Memorial Field), and even if we did, we don’t have any money to develop it, so it’s good to see the citizens get together and do something,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity for the city to sit back and watch this thing grow,” Trudell said.
With a unanimous vote, aldermen approved the first stage of the project and stipulated that future stages be approved by the City Council before they begin.
Manns said she was unsure how quickly the renovations will occur; the schedule depends on funding available.
The stages of the project are flexible, she added. For example, a skateboard park might be added to Stage 2.
Oconto Falls resident Cory Albers said skateboarders get booted off properties in Oconto Falls and need a place where they’re welcome.
“We’ve got a lot of kids interested in skating, rather than being at home gaming all the time,” he said. A handful of teenage boys, including a couple carrying skateboards, attended the meeting.
Alderman Marty Coopman said any changes to Memorial Field should maintain space for the annual car show and Memorial Day celebration, and Manns assured him the park could still host the event.
Panther Pride organizes the celebration and uses the proceeds for athletic facility improvements. If the city decided not to renovate Memorial Field, Manns said Panther Pride would consider dropping the Memorial Day celebration, which includes carnival rides, a parade, fireworks and softball tournaments on Memorial Day weekend.
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