Plans are moving forward to improve the baseball fields at Elk's Park in Smithers.<\/p>\n
Smithers town Council recently approved in principle the Bulkley Valley Softball Association's (BVSA) Elks Facility Field Improvements Master Plan.<\/p>\n
Approval in principle is the second step of the Community Partnership framework and provides council endorsement for the project concept, allowing the proponent to advance to the development of a detailed project proposal.<\/p>\n
Councillor Frank Wray noted the community partnership framework is great for the town and for organizations to get projects done because it takes some of the work off town staff's plate.<\/p>\n
"If the community wasn't coming forward with these things, and we didn't have this in place, they probably just wouldn't happen," he said. "So this [the community partnership] is still a better way through, although we do have to have that level of service talk—about how many of these we can take on at any given time—but things happen in the community faster with this than they would with just Council directing staff to do things."<\/p>\n
The BVSA has identified a phased approach to upgrades at the Smithers Elks Fields with the objectives of improving user safety, accessibility, and long-term recreational value.<\/p>\n
The baseball fields, which are owned by the Town serve hundreds of users each year and are a central hub for youth sports, recreation, and family activities.<\/p>\n
THE BVSA made a presentation to council earlier this year and explained that their highest priority is safety-critical upgrades. These include a dugout relocation to reduce risk of injury from in-play throws; infield upgrades that will see the fields levelled with a new sand mix, base anchors, and batter's box; and also a sun shade for Field No. 2 to protect pitchers from direct sun glare.<\/p>\n
The delegation also mentioned their next priority is functional enhancements that will see the outfield fence repositioned and warning tracks installed for Fields No. 1 and No. 2; accessible pathways from parking and trails; and safety netting behind Fields No.3 and No. 4 to protect neighbouring properties.<\/p>\n
The next priority is community enhancements, meaning park entrance and way-finding signage as well as sponsorship recognition updates.<\/p>\n
The BVSA also noted the association's long-term vision includes central bathrooms, batting cages, a utility shed, lighting, bleacher roofs, and landscaping.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Plans are moving forward to improve the baseball fields at Elk’s Park in Smithers. Smithers town Council recently approved in principle the Bulkley Valley Softball Association’s (BVSA) Elks Facility Field Improvements Master Plan. Approval in principle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":158947,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-158934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-sports","category-top-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n