Years of frequent use combined with the drought’s impact have left the large and small adult softball fields at Veterans’ Memorial Park in need of improvement, so a $15,000 commitment from the Hollister City Council should address that.
The council voted Nov. 2 to approve the expenditure to address deferred maintenance concerns at the park, which is used by the city’s adult softball program and others.
“Over the years field prep has left a large ridge of dirt between the infield and the outfield, creating uneven ground and causing a tripping hazard,” Management Services Director Mike Chambless wrote in his funding request to the council. “Currently, we have no way to secure the site, vandalism is increasing and is costing us large amounts of time and money and (is) creating unsanitary conditions.”Â
Some turf areas did not survive the drought’s impacts, so a turf rehab project is in order, Chambless added.Â
San Benito County owns the fields, but the city has a longstanding agreement to operate and maintain them.Â
Councilman Raymond Friend said, “I agree the fields are in terrible shape, but if the county owns it, the county should fix it.” City Manager William Avera said he’ll make sure the council gets a copy of that use agreement.
The expenditure was approved 5-0, with the money slated to come out of the city’s general fund.