CITY TO CONSTRUCT NEW SOFTBALL FIELDS AT CENTER PARK

Move Will Allow Softball to Move from Community Park/Progress Made in the Center Parks Master Plan and Capital Improvement Program

CENTER, Texas (April 18, 2013) – Construction will soon begin on the much-anticipated Center Park expansion project, which will bring 3 new softball fields to property adjacent to the current Center Park. 

“For years, the girls’ softball program has called Community Park home,” described Center Mayor, David Chadwick.  “This location has been problematic for coaches, players, and their families with boys’ baseball being on the other side of town.  With this addition, our athletic facilities can be more family friendly.”  The softball facilities at Community Park are also not as nice as we desire, Chadwick elaborated.  “Having quality facilities for all our youth has been a goal of the City Council.”

The construction project will build new fields, one of which will be an upgraded championship field.  The expansion of the Park with softball fields will also allow for the City to be the host site for softball tournaments and new or expanded events.

A welcome addition is a 150 car parking area for the new facility.  There will also be a nature trail connecting the softball complex to the walking trail at Center Park and through to the Lion’s Club baseball complex.

“Other community organizations were able to assist through donations and financial pledges for this project to begin,” continued Nehring.  “Thanks are deserved for the fundraising efforts of the Center Amateur Softball Association, and donors like the Center Rotary Club, the Center Noon Lion’s Club.”

The City was able to secure a $100K grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife to go towards the construction of a playground and new pavilion.  Nehring continued, “Center was one of seven communities awarded this highly competitive grant.  We try to be good stewards of taxpayer money and leverage other grant opportunities when available.”

While construction will begin immediately, the City anticipates that the fields will be ready this Fall for use next season.

The Center City Council adopted a Parks and Open Space Master Plan and Capital Improvements Program in 2011.  Both plans called for an enhancement of the Center Mini-Park, which was completed in August 2012.  The plans list an expansion and renovation of Community House, which the City has started and should complete by November 2012.  Both plans also identified the consolidation of baseball and softball athletics into one area.  Future projects in the plan include an upgrade of Perry Sampson Park, extension of sidewalk and nature trails, and a redevelopment of Community Park for soccer, football and practice fields.

In the next three to four weeks, the City will announce a groundbreaking ceremony to be held at the new park site.

 City of Center
617 Tenaha Street
Center, Texas  75935
Jim Gibson 
936/598-2941