By Becky Kiser
Hays Post
Installation of artificial turf on the eight baseball/softball fields at Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex will begin August 1.
"I couldn't believe we could get it done in this amount of time," said Sandy Jacobs, Hays mayor, after commissioners unanimously approved the low bid plus four alternates for the project during Thursday night's city commission meeting.
Jeff Boyle, director of parks, presented the proposal for a final vote.
"This has changed a little from last week with the addition of the fifth alternate," Boyle told commissioners, "and the Hays Recreation Commission (HRC) has graciously increased its donation another $50,000, to a total of $750,000."
The city's share is $1 million.
"We couldn't have done it without you," Jacobs told Roger Bixenman, commission superintendent, and other HRC employees in the audience.
Mid-America Sports Construction, Lee's Summit, Missouri, had the low bid of $1.5 million for turfing all eight infields, plus four alternates.
Thanks to savings from low bids on two other projects financed with the city's 1/4 cent share of the Ellis County sales tax, a fifth alternate for turfing the bullpens was added at the request of Commissioner Shaun Musil.
"I've had people ask if it isn't good enough now, and it is. We've got a great complex," Musil said.
"But everybody around us is doing this, if not more, and if we want to continue to be viable and bring in these tournaments, we have to do this."
Expansion of the infields on fields 5, 6, and 8 will allow tournament play for 14-and-under athletes and 13-and-under athletes, who currently have to use other ballfields in town.
Looking at a report from the Fort Hays State University Docking Institute, Musil said more than a million dollars was brought into the community in 2018 via the sports complex.
"That's almost paying for [these improvements] in one year," Musil said, "and the more tournaments we get, the more people that will be coming here."
Jacobs said the artificial turf project is the second-most discussed topic she's had with constituents since being elected.
"It's a really wonderful thing for our community, not only from a quality-of-life issue but from an economic standpoint."
Commissioners thanked the recreation commission for its support.
"I don't know if you twisted arms or not," Michael Berges said about the increased donation, "but I think it just shows the collaboration [with the city] be able to do that with your board. It's very much appreciated.
"I think it shows faith in your board. I think it shows some faith in our commission."
The new shade structures are nearly completed at the complex, according to Bixenman, and new scoreboards will be installed beginning in June.
In other business, commissioners conducted two public hearings, with no comment, and approved two ordinances vacating excess right of way to Pheasant Inn restaurant and Hays Chevrolet that was created when the west Vine Street frontage road was removed during construction of the double roundabout at 32nd/33rd Streets.