Editor's Note: This concludes a two-part series on challenges associated with Crestview's growth and its recreation facilities' limitations.
CRESTVIEW — In 25 years, the population here has doubled, placing a strain on the city's ball fields. But 20 acres on Brookmeade Drive could provide relief.
Wayne Steele, Crestview’s Public Services director who oversees the Parks and Recreation Department complexes, says developing city-owned property behind North Okaloosa Medical Center could help meet immediate needs."We could start with the basic-level playing field that’s sodded and take the approach that Niceville took (using portable backstops and restrooms)," he said. “And then later, as we can afford it, expand into a full-fledged, tournament-size facility where we could host some tournaments."
The basic project, which includes removing concrete and debris at the site, could cost $100,000 and be ready by spring 2016, if the city council approves it in the next two months, Steele said. He's working on a proposal to submit to city leaders. However, a long-term solution would cost much more. “If we were to … build four tournament-size fields, you would have to provide parking, lighting, fencing (restrooms and scoreboards),” Steele said. “You are talking about a half-million dollars."
Partnering with other entities would help.
City Council President Shannon Hayes has said Eglin Air Force Base might haul old concrete and use it to build a reef in the Gulf. Steele is researching partnerships with the Department of Defense and Air Force that allow the military to work on recreation complexes for local municipalities. "The city, the government, the staff, we can’t do it by ourselves," he said. "It takes some public-private partnership with people coming in and volunteering their time to accomplish it."
It's worked in the past: In the 1990s, the city couldn’t afford to run some of the youth sports, but volunteers stepped up to keep programs going. Additionally, Steele said, "I’ve read stories about people going over and picking up roots where Twin Hills is, whenever they first got that property that was given to the city, so they could make it into a children’s park. It was a wonderful thing when they finished.”
For the Brookmeade property, Steele said, “If someone owns a bulldozer and they are willing to donate some time and energy … they need to come and talk to me. That’s what it’s going to take … It’s finding a plumber that’s willing to help with building bathrooms or a carpenter or a block layer, whatever. Every little thinghelps.
“We’ve got to do something for our children."
WANT TO HELP?
Call Crestview Public Services Director Wayne Steele, 850-682-6132, ext. 6133, to volunteer resources toward new athletic facilities.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FIELD OF DREAMS: City seeks help developing new ball fields