OLDS — Town council has approved the addition of an “emergent item” to its 2022 capital budget: repair of a couple of baseball backstops at Rotary Athletic Park that officials fear could be a safety hazard.
Council approved that expenditure, estimated to be about $35,000, during its April 11 meeting.
Interim chief administrative officer and finance director Sheena Linderman brought the problem forward.
She said the two backstops in question are located on Diamonds 2 and 3, two of the taller backstops at Rotary Athletic Park.
“With the height of the backstop and the weight of the mesh, there is metal fatigue happening. There are concerns that these backstops could come down,” Linderman said.
“Unfortunately, we are past the warranty period at the park. But we are looking into the engineering and approval process that took place for these backstops,” she added.
"It is what it is as far as emergent repairs for the backstops,” Coun. Darren Wilson said. “But the Rotary (Athletic) Park’s only been in use for one year. Is that correct?”
Linderman said that’s correct, but added that it’s her understanding the park was completed a couple of years ago.
"I hope the replacement and repair will last longer than kind of one year of summer usage,” Wilson said.
"We will ensure that the repairs are done correctly,” Linderman replied.
“I’m sure you’ve done all your due diligence and we can move forward with this. There’s only so much you can do. The past sometimes brings surprises to us,” mayor Judy Dahl said.
“We will also ensure that the community – that we have the health and well-being and the safety of our community, first,” she added.
