Laserfiche WebLink
Thomas P. Palmquist <br />6155 Stone Court <br />Maple Plain'M <br />MN 55359 <br />Home: (763) 479-3262 <br />Cellular: (612) 360.3354 <br />tom palmquistCcAtyancocnpanies corn <br />April 8, 2004 <br />Mr. Greg Gappa <br />Community Services Director <br />City of Orono <br />PO Box 66 <br />Orono, MN 55323-0066 <br />RE: REQUEST BY ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION - <br />EXPANDED USE OF BEDERWOOD FIELD <br />Dear Greg: <br />I am writing to you on behalf of the Orono Baseball Association ("OBA") and our request <br />for expanded use by OBA of the Bederwood Fields. OBA is currently limited in our use of <br />this field to no more than two (2) days per week. As requested, the Bedorwood Field would <br />be used up to six (6) days per week. On Monday through Friday, the hours of use would be <br />between 5:00 p.m. to sunset. On Saturdays, use of the field would not occur before 8:00 <br />a.m. The period of time OBA would require the use of the field would commence April 10, <br />and the season would finish on or about July 15`x', essentially, a three month season. As you <br />know, I appeared before'the Orono Park Commission and they voted 6 in favor and 1 <br />against to allow use of the field up to six (6) days per week, as requested by OBA. I assume <br />this recommendation has been passed along to the City Council. <br />As I presented to the Orono Park Commission, OBA is making this request due to the <br />limited availability of playing facilities, the increased number of participants and the success <br />of our program. The Bederwood Field is desperately needed for additional practices and <br />scheduling of games. The quality of the Little League experience is being constrained due to <br />a lack of facilities which limits an adequate number of practices to develop player skill levels, <br />and the competition of game settings. As you may know, OBA has contributed in excess of <br />$325,000 of its own money for the construction of a new baseball field on Orono School <br />District owned property, adjacent to the Lee Carlson ball fields. While this new ball field <br />was much needed and will better serve the needs of 12 - 14 year old players, there is still a <br />need for additional fields for younger players in the Coach/Pitch and Pitching Machine <br />levels. The Bederwood Field is ideally suited for this level of ability, <br />As an aside, pursuant to an agreement with City Staff, OBA has agreed to upgrade certain <br />elements of the Bederwood Field using OBA funds. Specifically, OBA will construct a new <br />-_ - -_-pitchers_mound,_including_pitching_rubber, add new bases and home plate, and_place <br />