City council, OISD discuss baseballfield improvements

OLNEY— The drive into Olney may have a bit more character following negotiations between the city and the school district.

With plans for dramatic additions to the Olney baseball and softball fields in mind, the school district seeks a long-term lease for the fields.

“We need a lot of work done on the restrooms. We need a new concession stand,” Olney Independent School District Superintendent Greg Roach said. “The softball field needs a press box. There is work to be done on the fences. The baseball field needs a new backstop. There are also some bigger things we can work on ... We’re going to have to have a scoreboard sooner than later, on both fields.”

Roach said the improvements would make the trip into Olney a bit more scenic.

“When you’re driving into town, you could see something out there that is aesthetically pleasing,” Roach said. “It could be one of those things that someone driving through Olney, Texas says ‘hey, look at that.’ ... Over time, we could spend some significant money on lights. I plan to have some type of proposal on that from the city.”

The only potential point of contention would be the little league fields, but the school board remained adamant that it would fully support any Olney little league baseball or softball program.

Olney Mayor Phil Jeske said he had no objections to a long-term lease. Some potential points of contention are whether the school district would lease only the baseball and softball field or the entire five-field complex, water usage, liabilities and community access to the little league fields. On multiple occasions school board members were adamant the district would allow access to the little league field, should the district adopt the entire complex. 

“Their desire would be for the two fields, but it does not make a lot of sense to do one and not do them all if they are going to maintain and use them,” Jeske said. “We have not gotten that deep into discussion at this point. We ought to do whatever we can to accommodate them ... This is early on in the process, but it makes sense to me if they are using the fields 99 percent of the time. They are not going to spend any money on it unless they have a long-term agreement.”

Both governing bodies approved continuing negotiations for a long-term lease.