May 9, 2013 - Highlands NC

Page 10 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, May 9, 2013 - 828-526-3228... EXCITED continued from page 1In addition, Commissioner Higdonsaid over and over again that spending the$5.1 million outside designers proposed fora full-blown park with all the bells andwhistles, was too much and he would nevervote for it.“I was elected to stop the spending,”he said at the next to last meeting prior tothe final vote. “I can’t vote to encumber thecitizen of Macon County with that.”After months of hearing that argument,Commission Chair Kevin Corbinshowed is ire saying that was not the motionput to vote and it never was.“The only thing we are voting on rightnow is to move ahead with the purchase ofthe property. No one has said anythingabout spending $5.1 million,” he said.Now that the politics of the issue havedied down, the three commissioners whovoted in favor of the purchase – Corbin,Tate and Beale – are ready to express theirhopes for the Parker Meadows property inregard to the children of Macon Countyand the county’s future.“First and foremost, developing fieldsat Parker Meadows will help with the tremendousscheduling problem during theweek for practice fields for all our teamsboth youth and adult. We have 1,100 citizenswho play softball or baseball in MaconCounty with nowhere to practice,” saidCorbin. “Secondly, the economic impactof these fields should not be underestimated.With 13 fields within miles of each other,Macon County could and will host severallarge tournaments throughout the year.Both baseball and softball tournament playis extremely popular. We will certainly havesome upfront costs, but the long term economicimpact will return that investmentmany times to the citizens of Macon County.”Commissioner Tate said he hopes thecounty can move ahead with the developmentof at least the eight ballfields withinthe next couple of years.“Our current budget is very tight, butour fund balance is strong. And thus, I wouldpersonally be supportive of followingthrough with implementing the 'gist' of ourplans from our fund balance,” he said. “Andyes, this is more than just about the kids,we received testimony that it would cause atremendous impact to our economy andthis is a significant plus, but it also providesus the ability of having all of our fields inone location versus many. The significantpoints of Parker Meadows are: children,economic impact, and logistics.”Commissioner Beale said the economicimpact may even be underestimated.“After looking at what some other facilitiesare doing when it comes to economicdevelopment, our projectionsmight be very low,” he said. “HaywoodCounty had a tournament three weeks agowith 60 teams from out of town who hadto travel all over the county to differentfields. We will be able to host the sametournament at the county recreation parkand at the new fields at Parker Meadows.That could mean 2,000 or more visitors toMacon County for a long weekend.”Each commissioner agreed that the$5.1 projected cost is not realistic or somethingthe board would agree to.“There was some misunderstandingabout it taking $5.1 million to develop theballfields. To apply for the PARTF grant,you must show a “long range” plan for theproperty with all potential uses. We did thatand the cost estimate put on that plan byan engineering firm was $5.1 million. Developingthe ballfield complex would beless than half that amount, but we will getfirm numbers before we proceed,” he said.Commissioner Tate agreed said the$5.1 estimate was “overboard in regardsto a budget for construction.“I do not see any problem with goingahead and getting new estimates, and fromthere we can move forward with potentialdevelopment,” he said.Commissioner Beale believes the totalcost will be as much as 30% to 35%less than the $5.1 figure.Commissioners hope at least somepart of the park will be ready for businessspring of 2014.“Obviously, it will be up to the fullboard to decide how to proceed and wehave had no discussions to this point,” saidCorbin. “If we could at least begin withthe eight ballfields later this year, then itwould be ready for local practice and play,as well as hosting tournaments by 2014.”Tate said he hopes the park will beTravel-Team ready the moment the firstgames are played. “Maybe our recreationdepartment can kick-off the grand openingwith a large tournament.”Commissioner Beale said if thePARTF grant comes through a lot ofprogress can be made quickly but everythingdepends on the 2013-’14 budgetwhich is in the works now.Tate agreed. “We have a long ways togo and numerous decisions to be makebefore this happens, but dreaming of thepotential that is right at our fingertips isgreat!”– Kim Lewicki