>The topic was the proposed upgrade/renovation of a baseball field on Vets, not Air Horns on Maple. It isn’t being “sneaked through during summer” when no one is around. The proposed renovations of the BOE athletic facilities calls for the construction of a 400 meter track at BF. The construction of the track will eliminate the “full size” baseball diamond at BF that is currently used by the RHS Baseball program as well as other youth baseball teams. The Fields and Rec Master Plan calls for the baseball diamond at Lower Hawes to be renovated and upgraded to make up for the loss of the field at BF.
Years ago the RHS Varsity Baseball team played its home games at Vets. For some reason that changed. A group of former RHS Baseball players would like to see the RHS and youth teams return to Vets instead of moving to Lower Hawes. (Lower Hawes will still be renovated as the loss of the diamond at BF must be replaced.) The HS Administration has expressed strong interest in locating as many teams “on campus” as possible to help foster school spirit and lessen the wear and tear on elementary and middle school facilities and playing at Vets would fit with that goal.
The proposal for Vets was first discussed many months ago. It was first presented to some concerned individuals and then to some of the sports groups that would benefit or be affected. Subsequent to that it was brought to the sports council as an idea for their feedback. The next logical step would be for the “Village Departments” to look at the plans to see if; 1) they are legal in regards to flood plain, etc… and 2) would the improvements negatively impact any other activities at Vets. Only after that is done can the decision be made to move forward or not.
The inference in the orginal post is that somehow this is some big bad project. It isn’t. It is simply a renovation and upgrade of the existing field that has been there for decades. The proposed “netting” is simply bringing the field up to current standards and will be much less intrusive visually then an old rusting backstop. The outfield fence and warning track are problematic for other sports (Youth Football & Soccer) that use Vets and probably will not be included in the final plans but it doesn’t hurt to put the entire project out there so people can see what the final intent is.
The reference to the plan as “a scheme that has neither been reviewed, nor approved by the BOE” is very misleading. Veterans Field is owned by the Village of Ridgewood, why would the BOE be involved in reviewing or approving any improvement to a Village Field? And with the history the BOE has in not getting anything of substance done properly if you were the person working on getting the plan implemented why would you want them involved?
