Moorestown To Apply For Grants For Softball Field Upgrades

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown will apply for county grants to help with the upgrades of two softball fields after the Moorestown Youth Softball Association (MYSA) made its case for new fields and upgrades last spring.

Moorestown Council unanimously approved a non-consent agenda resolution to authorize an application for $250,000 in grant money from the Burlington County Municipal Park Development Program for the reconstruction of two softball fields at Wesley Bishop Park. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $610,300.

The softball fields are in a low-lying area near wetlands, and it can take a day or two to completely dry out, MYSA Board Member Bob Reilley previously told council and the township’s recreation advisory committee. He said there more than 10 instances over the past few seasons in which MYSA had to cancel games on days in which teams in other towns were able to play games.

“We asked what was needed to use the fields quickly after rainfall,” Township Manager Thomas Neff said during the discussion about the cost during Monday night’s meeting.

He said a certain amount of soil is needed, and the irrigation system may need to be replaced.

“We will save on the irrigation system where we can,” Neff said after Councilman Mike Locatell asked about the high costs. “ … We’re hoping the costs come in at less than that.”

He also said Pennoni will be monitoring the process to make sure all costs are reasonable.
MYSA has also asked to have another field built, but that request was not included in this proposal. MYSA has said that having three fields would enable them to hold tournaments, and in turn help with some of the costs related to the upgrades.

In 2008, the Moorestown Recreation Advisory Committee put together a report detailing the needs at the various youth athletic facilities across the township.

In 2014, Moorestown Council set aside $150,000 for engineer and design services for upgrades for those facilities, including the fields used by the Moorestown Youth Softball Association (MYSA).

Five years later, just about everything is complete, but the softball fields are still in need of attention.

See related:
MYSA Packs Council Room, Makes Plea For New Fields
MYSA Makes Formal Proposal For New Field, Upgrades
MYSA Continues To Seek Softball Field Upgrades