Park & Rec OKs

fees, indoor batting

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission Monday approved a slightly revised fee schedule that includes for the first time a $1 fee for children using the outdoor wading pools. It also approved a junior baseball association plan for constructing an indoor batting and storage building at North Park.

The big jump in day and night football game fees, proposed earlier by staff, was replaced by a uniform 10 percent increase to $355 for day games and $370 for night games. The 2003 fees were $320 and $335, respectively.

The $1 admission fee for children, which was imposed as an 11th hour means to keep both Washington Park's and Lincoln Park's wading pools open this year, is now a permanent part of the department's fee schedule. The department noted it doesn't apply to infants who are not in the water or the adults who accompany the children.

Baseball building

Pat Davis, representing the New Ulm Junior Baseball Association, told the commission the 42-by-110 foot metal building would have "80 feet for two batting cages and 32 feet for storage, with portable pitchers' mounds."

The building also will be outfitted with 80 feet of AstroTurf, Davis explained, and have two restrooms. There would be a solid wall between the cages and the storage area.

When asked what the facility would cost, Davis replied, "I guess 70 (thousand dollars) would cover it."

Kretsch honored

Paul Kretsch, who for seven years as been the volunteer coordinator for the Monday night concerts in German Park, received a distinguished service certificate from the commission recognizing his volunteer work.

Baseball park

improvements

Director Dave Bechtold told the commission the focus has changed for planned improvements by the New Ulm Baseball Association at Johnson and Mueller parks.

"Because Johnson has had its big tournament and won't be having another for the foreseeable future, the baseball association is pushing to have funds switched to improvements proposed at Mueller Park. And I can assure you that they have the money to do it."

A combined concession and restroom building next to the baseball field is planned for Mueller Park.

Civic Center

Bechtold said the department is looking at "the concept of a floor for the north rink" in the Civic Center.

"We've had each of our three main shows at Vogel (Arena) indicate that they will need more space (than the south rink provides) in moving to the Civic Center," he said.

Because the Vogel Fieldhouse now has a new playing floor, the commission at its last meeting banned "dry" shows unless there is an emergency at the Civic Center.

Bechtold also anticipates more business from the metro area.

"We're close enough to get some coming down for the cheaper ice and for a site for dry shows."

Events Coordinator Cheryl Kormann said a floor over the ice would be required because "we can't take the ice off the north rink during the summer because we wouldn't have air conditioning in the south rink."

This Friday is the grand opening of the grand re-opening of Vogel Fieldhouse and the Family Recreation Center.