The Bruce Board approved major upgrades to the girls’ softball field at Bruce Park and agreed for City Hall to serve as the hub for a new shop at home program.
Bruce Park Director and Bruce High School Softball Coach Angie Owen both addressed the board about the current condition of the softball field that serves ages seven and up in summer league and is also home to the Lady Trojans.
Mark Ferguson
“That field is currently the one in the park most desperate in need of work,” Ferguson said.
He presented a proposal that called for a new backstop with a concrete block base, black posts and wire netting for approximately $2,800; new black wire fencing down the lines and outfield for approximately $9,000 or closer to $15,000 to do a wooden fence across the outfield; and approximately $4,000 for materials to recondition the playing surface. The total renovation would cost $20,000-$25,000 depending on the kind of fencing chosen.
“It’s time to do some work on that field,” Mayor Rudy Pope said. “There’s been a lot of discussion over the years over whether the school should build a new field. That seems settled, so I’d like to see us make these improvements.”
Mayor Pope proposed the city put $20,000 in the park budget so upgrades can begin at first opportunity and then amend the budget later if necessary. The board approved it unanimously.
There was no decision on whether to install a wooden fence in the outfield for the added cost.
“My only feeling is that’s not the only fence I need out there,” Ferguson said. “I could make a lot of use of that extra $5,000 on the other fields, but there’s upside to both options.”
It was agreed to make a decision on that at a later date.
The board also voted unanimously to allow City Hall to serve as the hub for people to purchase “Bruce Bucks,” a new shop at home program developed by the new Bruce Area Business Owners’ Association.
Ann King explained people could buy the “Bruce Bucks” at City Hall which can be used like gift cards in participating merchants around the city. Store owners would then redeem the Bruce Bucks they’ve collected at City Hall utilizing the funds spent to acquire “Bruce Bucks.”
King said they hoped to get the program started within the next month.
King also updated the board on the planned July 4th parade that will begin on South Newberger near Noelle’s at 5 p.m. and come to the square. The parade is also sponsored by the new association. The chamber of commerce is then sponsoring events on the square afterwards including live entertainment and a fireworks show.
In other news, the board granted permission for Joe Massey to build a front porch on the front of his “Y’all Come” store on the west side of the square. The porch will be handicap accessible and won’t extend beyond the first seam of the public sidewalk.
The board appointed Ashley Clements to the Library Board of Trustees.
Mayor Rudy Pope said they received a request from a citizen to have bee hives in the city. Attorney Jim Beckett said he suspected it was forbidden by city ordinance, but he would research it further.
Bruce Police Chief Stan Evans received permission from the board to work on getting a flagpole for the police station/fire department.
Fire Chief Charlie Hill said decertification of fire trucks is final.
Board agreed to clean up and potentially move the storm shelters in South Bruce so that they can be properly used. Chief Stan Evans said the shelters have been abused thus far and not used for intended purpose.
Board asked Joe Farmer to get things ready to start spraying for mosquitoes around town.