Park idea not sitting very well with recreation commissioner

By LARRY HILLIARD

Ledger Staff Writer

A Cherokee County Recreation District Commissioner appointed by the city questioned the wisdom of the city’s plan to convert Irene Park into a state-of-the-art Little League field.

Commissioner Laymond Dewberry said he prefers the city use its hospitality tax revenues to build a much-needed community rec center than renovate a Little League field.

“We already have a baseball complex that’s located in the city and that’s one of the best in the state,” he said. “What we need is a recreation center for the kids. Right now, the kids have nowhere to go when there’s inclement weather. I just think there are more pressing needs than re-doing a baseball field.”

Dewberry said the recreation center could draw out-of-town visitors to the city by hosting other events in addition to AAU basketball tournaments.

Luring out-of-town visitors is crucial to the park proposal since state law restricts the use of hospitality tax money to tourist-related projects. The tax is expected to generate around $700,000 for the city in 2004.

Gaffney City Council recently gave city administrator James Taylor the go-ahead to contact landscape architectural firm Seamon Whiteside & Associates to determine the costs to design and build the proposed park upgrades.

In a memo sent recently to Gaffney City Council, Taylor recommended council move forward on a proposal that calls for Irene Park to become a “state-of-the-art” Little League field, including upgrades to seating, restrooms, concession stands and parking. The upgrades would be made to attract regional and state Little League tournaments, the memo said.

Dewberry points out that the city likely would have to build additional baseball fields, not just upgrade the existing Irene Park baseball field, in order to host a tournament.

Improvements to Azell Robbs Park, Thomson Park and Park Place as well as the former McCluney Park are also part of the city’s proposal.

Dewberry also criticized city officials for not consulting him or the Recreation District about the proposal.

“We are supposed to be working together,” he said. “It just seems to me that everybody wants to get their hands on the hospitality tax money rather than do what’s in the best interest of the kids.”

A phone message left for Cherokee County Recreation Department Director Lowry Love wasn’t retuned Friday. An attempt to reach Gaffney City Councilman Bernard Smith, who requested the park proposal be placed on last Monday’s agenda, was unsuccessful.