The Town of Bashaw council approved increased user fees for baseball diamonds. The resolution was passed at the Aug. 21 regular meeting of council.

Councillors pondered a report from town staff regarding possible changes to the way baseball diamond users are charged for the facilities; councillors previously heard a request from Bashaw Minor Ball to either reduce fees for diamond use or improve services that minor ball receives.

Staff reported that Bashaw, compared to other municipalities, charges similar or smaller fees for comparable services. Staff also noted most comparable urban municipalities receive financial assistance from rural municipalities; it was stated in the staff report that 66 per cent of Bashaw Minor Ball diamond users are Camrose County residents, while 26 per cent are Town of Bashaw residents.

Councillors decided to increase ball diamond fees to $20 per child under 18 as the seasonal fee (not including tournaments) and the tournament fees to $57.50 per diamond per day for adults, $47 per diamond per day for youth.

Councillors also instructed staff to prepare a letter or policy for ball diamond use, outlining the expectations for the services the town will provide along with volunteer obligations for council to review at the next council meeting.

Ball diamond upgrade

Councillors approved moral support for Bashaw Minor Ball’s plan to upgrade baseball diamonds in town. Association President Kerri McNally gave a presentation.

McNally noted the project is estimated to cost $350,000 with most money coming from community contributions, with no cash request for council at this time. However, McNally noted the association was planning to contact Camrose County for help along with submitting provincial government funding requests.

Upgrades may include new dugouts, new fences, sponsor-supported scoreboards and some electrical improvements, among other projects. It was stated at the meeting 125 players participate in the association’s activities and about 4,000 people per year attend games.

Playground proposal

Councillors also approved a request from the Bashaw and District Ag Society which was looking for support to possibly build a new playground at the society’s grounds.

“On behalf of the Bashaw and District Ag society I would like to formally request approval from the Town of Bashaw to begin exploring the possibility of installing a new playground at the ag grounds,” stated a July 30 email from society spokesperson Natasha Larkin.

“As you may be aware the existing playground is in significant need of replacement. With the wide range of events hosted at the ag grounds throughout the year, including ball tournaments, cattle shows, family reunions, weddings and rodeo events the space welcomes many families and children. We believe that a new, safe and centrally-located playground would be a valuable enhancement to the grounds and a great benefit to our community.”

Larkin noted in her email that the society was proposing a new playground in the southeast corner of their property beside the shower building.

Councillors approved the request but in an email to the Rural Alberta Report Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller stated that the ag society and minor ball may be trying to get the same grant money. “Council recognized that both proposals would be competing for the same community grants,” stated Fuller’s email. “(Council) recommended a meeting with several recreation partners to consider a larger project to apply for a larger grant. That way funding may be more assured.”