By Frank Derfler and Jim McCarthy
Monroe County school board members unanimously approved a final design for $5.6 million in improvements to the baseball field at Founders Park at a Jan. 27 meeting. The school district and village, however, still haven’t settled on a new licensing agreement.
The school district and village of Islamorada already signed an agreement with respect to the proposed improvements to the Founders Park baseball field. The school district is planning to inject millions of dollars to install a new playing surface of artificial turf, as well as a new two-story building behind home plate for a press box and concessions. The final design also shows restrooms and new dugouts, among other improvements.
Both sides, however, have yet to agree on a baseball field license agreement, which sets the rights and obligations regarding the construction, renovation and use of the field for the Coral Shores High School baseball program.
“We just continue to go back and forth,” said school board member Mindy Conn.
During a Jan. 8 meeting, village council members approved a revised version of the license agreement. It’s since been sent to the school district for review and discussion.
The village’s version of the license agreement states the school board would need signoff from the village as it relates to the final design and development on the field. The village is seeking the ability to review the designs at an open public meeting or workshop and to solicit community input on the designs. The school district would need to provide the village with written notice of the designs of the proposed improvements no later than 60 days before the start of construction.
School district staff proposed a date of Feb. 24 to have the school board review the revised licensing agreement. The school board’s revision would then go back to the village for approval by the council.
Before approving the final design, school board members discussed putting off the baseball field project and giving attention to other facilities that also need improvement on the high school grounds. The school board paid for the designs that include a concession stand with sinks, a stove, a fryer and work areas, with a press box above. There are new dugouts and storage areas along with new visiting and home bleacher areas.
“I don’t know if I’d be able to vote for this, if the design is not approved by the city (Islamorada). I’m not willing to continue spending money on a design,” said school board member Darren Horan.
Conn supported Horan’s statements, adding the school board and superintendent are behind the design.
“It looks beautiful,” she said.
Ultimately, all school board members voted in favor of the final design. Pat Lefere, school district executive director of operations, said the school district’s version of the license agreement and final design will eventually go to the council for consideration. If approved by both sides, the project would then go out to bid. Lefere said a guaranteed maximum price contract would also be developed.
