PIERCETON — Close to one hour was spent in discussion between the Wildcat Youth League, formerly known as the Pierceton Youth League, and the Pierceton Recreation Board on a new contract for use of the ball diamonds in Pierceton.
A special meeting of the recreation board, along with Barry Singrey, Whitko Junior/Senior High School athletic director, was held Tuesday evening.
The result included a few changes to the contract:
• The season will run from April 1 through Aug. 1.
• The youth league will be charged $1,500. The league will see if that amount will be contributed by Washington Township Trustee Dean Rhoades with any donations offsetting that amount.
• Whitko will sublet the field for the Whitko Middle School girls softball team.
Singrey stated during the meeting the school, which already provides game balls and uniforms for the travel league, plans to purchase and install batting cages at the ball field for the public to use as well as the teams. The cages will be turned over to the town. He stated the goal is to align the programs in Pierceton and South Whitley for the future with the same set of rules, costs, etc.
It was noted during the discussion the Pierceton Town Council had suspended any rental fees to the league last year. However, due to a $1,500 shortfall in the recreation department's budget the past year, which was taken from the police department's budget, the rental fee was reinstated.
The fact the town of South Whitley does not have expenditures for a league to play was noted, while the residents of Pierceton are footing the bill for the fields to be used without any financial support.
Matt Brubaker, town council member, brought up the fact South Whitley league plays on the school fields.
“The town of South Whitley is paying nothing, it's all paid for by the school corporation. The citizens of Pierceton are paying for the park,” he stated.
Other discussion focused on the future of the league. Recreation Board member Chris Staley, who also runs the league in Pierceton, reported the league has $3,100.
“I'm not going to do this forever. No one wants to donate any more. If you put a stipulation in it, it's more headaches,” he said. He added the youth league did pay for gutters and for all the handicapped concrete.
“The youth league is putting money in to things up there. We're getting ready to pour concrete from the tennis court to the sidewalk because that wasn't in any of the drawings. We are spending money to do things up there that total more than 1,700,” said Staley.
Staley also brought to the board's attention they have contacted 13 businesses in the community for donations. Only one, possibly two, have committed. Banners are available to purchase at a donation of $250.
Several comments were made by Staley and others that something needs to be figured out for years to come. It was also learned the leagues 5013(c) status should now be in place. It was believed the league did have that status, however it was learned the paperwork was never filed until recently.
Board members noted should a different league, such as the travel team, decide to host a tournament at the field, they would need to come before the park board for approval. It was also noted such an endeavor would have to be coordinated with the youth league.
The next meeting of the recreation board will be April 2, at which time the contract will be signed by the board president and then presented to the town council for approval.