Catcher Freeman
The city of Neosho parks and recreation board unanimously approved the recommendation that the Neosho City Council pursue a lease agreement with the Freeman Southwest Family YMCA for the use of Morse Park’s baseball and softball complex, two concession stands and all game equipment for it to operate a youth baseball and softball program this summer.
During a special meeting Monday night at the Neosho Rec Plex, Jenny Holweger, executive director of the Freeman Southwest Family YMCA, approached the four-member parks and recreation board asking that the city of Neosho draft a lease agreement allowing the YMCA to use the Morse Park facilities to operate a youth baseball and softball program in the summer of 2010.
It was announced during the regular monthly meeting of the parks and recreation board on Jan. 11 by Todd Banes, parks and recreation director, that the city’s youth baseball and softball programs would be victim to potential budget cuts in a new 2010 budget being drafted by the city of Neosho.
That new budget has yet to be approved and adopted by the Neosho City Council, which will not review the budget proposal put together by Jan Blase, Neosho city manager, and his staff until the first regular meeting on Feb. 2, at the earliest.
But, after the parks and recreation board learned of the possible cut to the youth baseball and softball program, the members began looking for options, first turning to a parent organization led by Todd Cholka and Chad Mabrey. On Jan. 13, Richard Davidson, a member of the Neosho City Council and a parent and coach with the youth softball program, approached Holweger and the YMCA staff about whether or not it would be interested in taking over operation of the youth baseball and softball program from the city.
On Jan. 15, Holweger met with Davidson, parks and rec board chair Scott Swope, parks and rec boardmember Steve Hart, and other interested parties to learn more about the existing city program and whether or not the youth baseball and softball leagues would be a good fit for the YMCA.
During Monday’s special parks and rec board meeting, Holweger said the YMCA “wanted to do whatever it takes to keep the ball program going in Neosho. The YMCA has the capacity to operate a program such as this, all that we lack are fields. We have one undeveloped field on our property, and to offer this program we would need the use of the city fields.”
Holweger said without having a lease agreement in place with the city, and getting true numbers from the city on expenses and revenues of past summers, it was difficult to come to the meeting Monday with set dollar amounts on how much the program would cost to operate and what the cost of the program would be for players and parents.
Holweger said the cost of the program to the YMCA would include the hiring and paying of staff, purchase of supplies, and the lease agreement with the city for use of the fields and equipment.
Swope told Holweger that the city is committed to do all field prep work, and the equipment the city currently owns for the teams, which includes balls, bats, catcher’s gear, etc., would also be included in the lease agreement. Swope suggested a lease agreement of $1.
Holweger said the program was also difficult to budget for because she has been given varying numbers for the amount of players in the program from year to year.
Holweger did stress the YMCA would do its best to keep the cost of the program between the $25 to $30 range. The cost to play last summer was $25 per player. Holweger said there would be a break on the fee for members of the YMCA. She said an example could be a $5 discount for Y members.
“The reason for that break is that it is because of my membership that I can sit here today and offer this program,” Holweger said. “The strong membership of the YMCA pays for the structure we already have in place.”
Holweger stressed that no child would be turned away from the program because of the cost, saying that the YMCA has scholarship programs available.
“Everybody needs to play,” she said. “Remember, this is going to be a Y program, and the (problems of cost and fee structures) would be a Y problem. We are here for the kids and families, and we would do everything we can to make sure kids and families can participate. No one will be turned away.”
Bill Slade, a parent who attended Monday’s meeting, said he had two children in the program since T-ball and asked Holweger what would be different if the YMCA takes over the program.
“The last two years in the rec program haven’t necessarily been sunshine,” Slade said.
Holweger responded by saying the YMCA, if it agrees to the lease with the city and takes over the program, would hold parent-input meetings to see what has worked well in the program in the past, and what has not.
Holweger stressed that the YMCA would still use volunteers and parents as coaches, but that a member of the YMCA staff must be present at all practices and games.
Having a staff member present would be a drastic change from previous years, when practices were held at the coach’s whim. But Holweger said that it is Y policy, and having a staff member present at all practices and games protects the coach and children. Holweger also said all coaches and volunteers would be subject to a background check.
There was much discussion as to whether or not the concession stand would be included in the lease agreement between the city and YMCA. Rhonda Warren, a member of the parks and rec board, said a parent group had expressed interest in running the concession stand, and that profit from the stand could be put back into improving the fields.
Holweger said the YMCA would be open to putting any money back into the program, or the fields at Morse Park to make improvements, once all expenses associated with the Y program were covered.
“Obviously, we are not looking to get rich with this program,” she said. “But, we are not looking to lose money either.”
Holweger suggested the lease be written to include that a percentage of the profit go to the city for park and field improvements.
Chad Mabrey, a member of the parent group that was first interested in possibly taking over the ball programs, said groups have offered to help renovate the ballpark at Morse Park in the past, but have been turned away by city staff.
“If someone wants to donate to the fields, they just need to come before this board,” said Steve Hart, board member. “We can make sure this happens in the future.”
Todd Cholka, another member of the parent organization, said getting the program out of the city’s hands “would do wonders for the program.” He also voiced his support for the YMCA’s plan.
“Jenny met with us for two hours (Sunday) and she didn’t have to do that,” Cholka said. “To me, that showed a lot of class. I think the YMCA taking over the program is going to be a great thing. I think the people should get behind this 100 percent. I know I am.”
A future meeting was scheduled between the parent organization and the parks and rec board to discuss its option, but Cholka canceled the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, Slade asked the board, “Is there going to be baseball and softball in Neosho this summer?”
The board answered, “absolutely.”
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