GARLAND — A vision of seeing bats swinging, pitching and players running bases is in the beginning stages.
The Garland Board of Commissioners recently approved a $4,450 bid to renovate one of the ballfield. Brad Richardson was awarded the job to conduct upgrades after it was presented by Commissioner Judy Smith.
“He told me that his estimate was ballgame ready,” Smith said about the town’s larger field.
Richardson works for Sampson County Parks and Recreation and is also a contractor. Some of his renovation work will conclude leveling and grading the field, adding dirt, edging, bases, anchors and home plates. The cost is about $2,500.
At $1,900 fencing work would include replacing a 6-foot chain link around the dugout, replacing damaged brackets and gates, repairing the outfield fence and gate.
But the board decided to go with Richardson’s plans. Smith said another bid for the town’s smaller field may be presented and would cost less since there’s not as much area to prep. The installation of lights were also brought up during the meeting.
Also, Smith reported that there’s a group of Garland residents would like to host a meeting to discuss the formation of a softball league. The organization would consist of volunteers. One of the residents presented by Smith was Gary Long, who once served as an umpire.
“He’s one of those individuals and he has agreed to pick up the reign to this and offer his volunteer services at this time,” Smith said.
Carl Cain, who directed a softball league in Garland also agreed to attend the meeting to offer advise for forming a volunteer league.
Smith said she’ll make sure that the meeting will be announced to the commission. She believes the town is ready, but expressed concern about the town recreation budget, especially after $10,000 was taken away from it for building repairs.
“We got to pay umpires and we got to do a lot,” Smith said. “I was hoping that we had enough money in that budget to get it started this year because it’s been put on the back burner for quite some time now.”