Parks & Recreation Board requests
ramp for boaters
By Bob Robinson
Star Staff
Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Board of Directors
last night voted to ask City Council to build a ramp off Riverside
Drive, near Joe O'Brien Baseball Field, to Watauga River for
use by boaters and rafters.
David Ornduff, director of planning and development,
told the board that bids would be advertised soon for construction
of the next phase of the linear bicycle/walking trail from
the Covered Bridge to the electric substation on the Bristol
Highway.
Mike Mains, parks and recreation director, told
the board that he was making plans for the Elizabethton Twins
minor league baseball team to return to Elizabethton for another
season. "The Twins 2002 schedule is done. The staff is set
to go. Twins hats and shirts, inscribed with Elizabethton,
have been purchased."
Mains said Twins' revenue was up last year compared
to two previous seasons. "Some $20,000 was made from baseball
card sales" he added.
Mains also reported:
-- The gym floor in the Recreation Center would
be replaced, beginning Feb. 18, under warranty because the
original installation did not allow for expansion, causing
the floor to buckle;
-- Carter County Work Camp (CCWC) had renovated
offices and game room previously occupied by the Boys and
Girls Club;
-- City Pool had been painted and concession
stand rebuilt by CCWC. Applications for lifeguard will be
taken next month;
-- He had received a request to add six horseshoe
pits to the nine already existing to allow the city to host
state tournaments;
-- Landscaping had been completed at park facilities;
and,
-- Spring sport leagues would begin soon in volleyball,
flag football and softball.
The next regular meeting of the board will be
at 6 p.m., March 4, in Council Chambers at City Hall. Members
of the board are Bill McClay, chairman; Charlie McQueen, Randy
Lacy, Wilton McNeeley, council member Nancy Alsup, Mayor Sam
LaPorte and Leslie McKinney, student.
