Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
It’s Too Early To Say As Officials Discuss Trading Baseball Fields For The Windbreak
The Kimball City/County Parks and Recreation Executive Board members tabled the only item on their agenda Monday evening under current business. They discussed but took no action on items related to the timeline, finances and budget of the operating board pertaining to a proposed land swap.
Six months are left for approval from the federal government for the trade in which involves 44 acres of what is now the four ballfields being exchanged for three acres and the Windbreak restaurant property at Four Winds Golf Course.
The Park and Rec Operating Board has concerns about possible future locations of the ballfields, how to run the old Windbreak if it is acquired, and information needed from the federal government.
Board Chairman Henry Heeg said, “Until we know we can and get all that information, we do not feel like we should move forward.”
Heeg went on to say that Jeremy Williams, director of golf, has a skeleton crew and is apprehensive about adding more responsibilities.
Heeg said, “We aren’t interested in running a restaurant. We are interested in putting money in the golf course.”
The Kimball City/County Parks and Recreation Executive Committee is comprised of the four City Council members and the three county commissioners plus Dave Wilson. Mayor John Morrison votes only in case of a tie.
When the land swap was tabled, the discussion continued about the location and cost of constructing the ballfields in town, with Gotte Park mentioned as a possible site. Other sites briefly discussed were near the Jr./Sr. High School.
Mayor Morrison said, “If we need ball diamonds in this town, maybe they need to be part of the city recreation department. And if we can’t get it in the budget of the city recreation department, maybe we need to turn it over to the different leagues and maybe they need to figure out a way to help take care of it.”
If the land swap doesn’t work out, then the discussion centered on the city and county purchasing the Windbreak to make a larger pro shop and a place for people to have a beer.
Morrison said, “I don’t think we could proceed right now with making that part of the recreational area (meaning the Windbreak). But I don’t know that we shouldn’t do something with that property. If we would purchase it, I don’t want to see the city or county run it.”