Two newcomers to the Iola City Council would like to kick the tires on the idea of adding artificial turf to baseball and softball diamonds at Iola’s Riverside Park.
Jeremiah Ivy and Doug Kerr both spoke at Monday’s Council meeting about their desire to see the city pursue turf projects for the ball fields.
Ivy noted USD 257 school board members approved a $1.2 million bid for turf for the football field at the park, which the school district owns.
The ball diamonds are owned by the city.
And as Mayor Steve French noted, the matter has been discussed recently.
In fact, the city was working in league with the school district to apply for a federal grant, which would have added turf to all of the fields as a means of flood control in the park.
“But the political climate (in Washington) changed and those grant opportunities dried up,” French noted.
Nevertheless, Ivy said he would like to see the city continue to kick the tires on upgrading the facilities.
“As a parent with an athletic student who plays softball and travels, we see the benefits (upgraded facilities) bring to a lot of towns that host tournaments,” Ivy said. “And we talk a lot about development, development, development. And it starts with our kids.”
Kerr, who teaches and is an assistant wrestling and football coach at IHS, echoed Ivy’s sentiment.
He noted there are rumblings in the State Legislature that would allow for more students to transfer at a moment’s notice to a neighboring school district without fear of losing eligibility.
“This could be like the Wild, Wild West,” Kerr warned. “And I know that doesn’t directly affect the city as far as school district numbers, but it does affect the city when families are looking to move into town.”
