HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090518 - VI-17
City of Hastings Parks & Recreation
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920 W 10 St, Hastings MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480-6175
Fax: (651) 437-5396
Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us
“Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs”
Date: 5/13/09
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: Vet’s Park Fundraising
As directed by the City Council to report on the progress of the Hastings Baseball Community initiative to seek
donations for improvements to the baseball field at Veteran’s Park, I have enclosed an update from Brian
Schommer who is spearheading this project.
Thank you!
Civic ArenaAquatic CenterYouth First
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2801 Red Wing Blvd. 901 Maple Street 920 W 10 Street
Ph: (651) 480-6195 Ph: (651) 480-2392 Ph: (651) 480-6182
Fax: (651) 437-4940 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Fax: (651) 437-5396
Tuesday, May 13, 2009
TO: Hastings City Council
FR: Baseball Facility Improvement Project Committee
RE: Fundraising and Project Update
While we are not able to report the type of success we would like to at this juncture, we are very happy to be able to
bear some good news and progress regarding the proposed improvement projects at Veterans Athletic Complex
Baseball Facility.
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At this time, a NAMING RIGHTS donation of $50,000.00 or more has not been secured. Talks with various
prospective donors are still in process. We realize that with the current economy, this is an uphill climb but
remain positive in our approach. We hope to have either secured said donation or exhausted potential
contributor meetings by the end of June.
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We were able to renew the scoreboard advertising agreement with Smead Manufacturing in the amount of
$8750 for the term of 5 years. $5000 has been received by the Parks & Recreation Department with the
remainder to be donated by January 15, 2010. The city donation form is the documentation utilized for this
activity.
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We will be presenting a proposal to an area business for a contribution that would cover the costs of the
press box and roof over the current bleachers. We hope to have this presentation completed by mid-June.
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City Staff has found a vendor who is able to create 6’ x 15’ windscreen with full digital graphics at a very low
cost. We are discussing the opportunity to utilize this media to complete one of the projects (windscreen for
the outfield fence) and to generate income. We hope to have this opportunity discussed and decided upon
by mid-June with potential fundraising from this effort ongoing.
NOW FOR THE REALLY GOOD NEWS…
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On Saturday, May 2 – volunteers from the committee and players from the Hastings Hawks donated 8+
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man hours each (total of close to 100 hours) and completed the following projects with additional help and
guidance from City Staff: Painted (4) helmet boxes in dugouts, reconstructed both bullpens, edging and
handwork on infield transition and home plate area, painted south wall of shed (ran out of paint), stained (3)
picnic tables, cleaned out shed, fixed window in shed, painted newly constructed (donated by local resident)
scorer’s table and general clean-up.
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We secured a donation of (7) Japanese Lilac Trees from Klaus Nursery of Hastings and in a joint effort of
City Staff (digging holes and final prep) and our committee (planting) – the proposed natural perimeter
outlined in the project illustration has begun to take shape. Will we continue to seek out donations of
materials and labor to complete various aspects of the project that can be handled in this manner.
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Protective Railing and Padding and a Protective Backstop for the first base bullpen have been ordered and
will be installed and paid for through the Smead Donation. The Parks Staff and our Committee have
established a very strong working relationship… this partnership is greatly appreciated and will lead to great
things in the future!!
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Additional Paint and Supplies are being purchased and the rest of the painting (shed, concession stand) will
be completed by volunteers from our committee and the Hastings Hawks. We hope to have this complete
by May 16 provided supplies can be secured by that time and the weather cooperates.
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The plan was designed to be flexible and that is what it remains. We are completing what we can
and continue to be diligent in our fundraising efforts. We will provide the City Council with another
report in the middle of June if that is acceptable. Please let Director Barry Bernstein know of your
desire and we will cooperate. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
Respectfully Submitted
-Veterans Athletic Complex Baseball Facility Improvement Plan Committee