Avon Lake Youth Baseball Federation Will Pay For New Weiss Concession Stand

Noting that it was more cost effective to demolish and rebuild  a new, expanded concession stand than repair the current one at Weiss Field, the Avon Lake Youth Baseball Federation is agreeing to pay for a new, improved building.

Federation president Jon Leonard said the new building, if approved, would include a pavilion, bathrooms and a concession stand as well as patios on the east and west end of the building. The new building would be in the same location as the old one.

“As many of you know the concession stand is in pretty bad shape,” Leonard told members of the city’s Public Service Committee during a July 11 meeting. “From a city perspective this is a win-win.”

The plans include electrical and storage rooms and an umpire room for changing.

“Right now (umpires) use the parking lot to change and it’s less than appealing,” Leonard said.

Leonard said the Federation has received estimates from $145,000 - $160,000 and said the Federation would pay for the project and then turn the building over to the city.

“We’re comfortable we have enough money at hand available to finish the project,” Leonard said, saying they would still be looking for in-kind and material donations.

The city’s Planning Commission would still need to approve the project before construction began.

The project received solid support from committee members.

“I think this is a great idea,” Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said.

Fenderbosch, the council representative to Planning Commission, said she was hoping plans could move along to get construction started in September. Leonard said the Federation would like the new building to be completed by spring 2012 baseball season.

Councilman Martin O’Donnell said he would like to see a long-term plan for Weiss Field which could host tournaments with enough improvements.

Leonard said the concession stand would be the focal point of the building.  He said the stand would be “state of the art.”

The committee unanimously approved the plan be moved to Planning Commission.