Council considers new bathrooms at baseball complex
Manufacturer willing to donate building
Even though nothing is budgeted for new bathrooms and concessions at the city's baseball complex, Marion City Council is willing to consider the expense to have a new facility in time for tournaments this summer.
During Monday's meeting, the council heard from Marion Recreation Commission Director Margo Yates and REC member Anita Seacat.
Two bids were obtained by Yates for a handicap-accessible bathroom facility — one for $36,882 from Carr Construction and one for $35,887 from Hett Construction, both of Marion, for cinderblock buildings.
After bantering back and forth between the council and REC members in determining specifications, Seacat made the announcement that Marion Manufacturing was willing to donate a steel building if the city would pay for the interior.
"We need to know what you will require us to do," Seacat told the council. "We can supply the labor if the city can provide the materials. What would you like to see out there?"
"I would like to see a good facility," Mayor Mary Olson said, but was concerned about volunteers not following through with the completion of the 340-square-foot building.
Seacat said she was willing to take on the responsibility of organizing volunteers to make sure it gets completed.
REC members agreed that their responsibility was for the programs and the city should be responsible for the facility.
The interior of a steel building could cost between $20,000 and $26,000.
The group said if the building is donated to the city and volunteers do the labor, maybe the city would be willing to pay for materials for a 20x30 building, twice the size as previously presented, which would be sufficient for ADA bathrooms and a concession stand. The current bathrooms and concession stand could be used for dressing rooms and storage.
Councilman Gene Winkler suggested the group return to the council with two prices — one for just the bathrooms and one for the bathrooms and concessions area.
