subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published November 28, 2006 12:00 am - The Joplin City Council decided to meet needs in a couple of specific areas rather than come up short in several areas in the first phase of construction of an outdoor sports complex.

Council huddles up on sports-complex plan



By Mike Dwyer

mdwyer@joplinglobe.com

The Joplin City Council decided to meet needs in a couple of specific areas rather than come up short in several areas in the first phase of construction of an outdoor sports complex.

The council reached a consensus at a work session Monday to pursue the construction of 12 tennis courts — one an exhibition court designed to accommodate a larger audience — six soccer fields, a baseball field, a concession stand and restrooms.

The original plan for the complex called for fewer tennis courts and a men’s softball field, but Councilman Phil Stinnett raised concerns that a site designed to please everyone would please no one.

“I’m concerned that we’re not fulfilling anyone’s needs,” Stinnett said. “Why don’t we accomplish something in each phase?”

Plans for an optimal sports complex, based on input from public meetings, also were presented. Stinnett said the city should strive to achieve the most desirable level in each area and move on to other areas if the funding became available.

Stinnett said the city should use the $6 million budgeted for initial construction of the sports complex to build the desired number of top-quality soccer fields and tennis courts.

“It seems to me that we have such limited dollars that we need to see what we can do to make this work for one or two groups,” he said.

He also said the city should focus on improving its existing baseball and softball fields instead of building new ones.

Several council members raised concerns about whether the city could maintain a sports complex, noting that the money that has been budgeted is for construction and not operation.

Jerry Calvin, director of parks and recreation, said the city could maintain the complex by shifting one full-time person to the site.

City Manager Mark Rohr said a participants’ fee would offset the cost of adding part-time workers at the complex.

Mayor Jon Tupper said he wonders whether the parks and recreation staff could keep a complex at the level it should be. He said other operations the city has have not been maintained properly.

“I’ve been concerned for six years,” he said. “I already know that I have a parks department that can’t catch up.”



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE

1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE

TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE

BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE

10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE

1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition