Published: November 17, 2009 09:30 pm      

Little League complex would include 10 fields

Proposed location sits behind Home Depot, Target

Several members of the New Albany Township Little League Board of Directors hope their “Field of Dreams” project will soon become a reality.

Tuesday night, board members met with New Albany Mayor Doug England, the Floyd County Commissioners and New Albany-Floyd County Parks Board looking for support for their plan to build a new Little League complex in New Albany on 62 acres on a hillside behind Home Depot and Target, which are along State Street. The land actually stretches from Tuckers to Target on property owned by Pat and Pam Kelly.

The board has been working for more than two years trying to find property to house a new facility which includes 10 baseball and softball fields and a nearby aquatic center.

The board said it needs to have the blessing of the city and county before approaching possible donors. The city and county would be responsible for the land acquisition and infrastructures costs — which are in the neighborhood of $6 million. The board would raise the other $4 million to build the fields and the complex. The cost and funding for the pool would be separate.

“You’ve got to have a plan in hand to go to the community,” England said at the public meeting. “These people came to me about this. This is a determined bunch.”

The Mount Tabor Little League complex has served children in New Albany for 58 years. However, league officials said it is outdated and too small to accommodate the 45 teams and 1,000 kids.

“The property is up on a hillside and it will be a great asset. It will affect thousands of people each year,” said Andy Renner, NATLL board member.

The complex will also include the girls’ softball league which is currently played at Grant Line Elementary. Floyds Knobs and HYR leagues would also play in the fall at the complex.

Not only is the current complex too small and inefficient, there is also a sense of urgency to find a new home in the next two years since Mount Tabor Road is scheduled to be widened with gutters and sidewalks added. The project is federally funded and already approved, according to England.

The group has been looking at numerous sites but the Kelly property is not only large enough, it’s also not in a flood plane.

“I would be negligent in my duties if I wasn’t behind this. This is a good project that will bring the community together,” England said.

However, like most projects, finding the proper funding could be a problem according to the commissioners. Steve Bush, president of the commissioners, said the county also has to look at building a new youth shelter, expand or build a new jail and deal with a crumbling City-County Building. However, all three commissioners said they support the idea if funding can be found.

“I love the idea, it’s just a matter if we can afford it or not” County Commissioner Chuck Freiberger said.

“We all support the community and kids,” Bush said. “It breaks down to dollars and cents.

The commissioners and city officials agreed to participate in a series of public meetings to get input from residents. The first one will likely happen in early December.

“We are willing to work with the city and you guys to look at it,” Bush said.

Freiberger said it’s important to get the idea to the public to measure support for the project.