Post Messenger Recorder -

Dear Editor,

I’m writing in response to Village Trustee Petra Streiff’s recent letter to the editor.  I agree with her on a couple of points:  (1) it is commendable when Village residents voice an opinion on important issues facing the Village and (2) Village President Roger Truttman was within his role to redirect conversation in a Village Board meeting, when he felt it was straying off topic.  He did so tactfully, in my opinion.

However, this is an appropriate forum to discuss other elements of the possible relocation of the softball field, currently located at Glarner Park, to Veterans Park.  As Petra mentioned, the estimated cost to build a new ball diamond at Veterans Park is between $192,000 and $221,000, excluding lighting.  The estimated cost of lighting (which I don’t see as an optional expense) is $200,000.  It makes little sense to build something which is less functional than that which it is replacing.  There is lighting at Glarner Park, so that’s exactly what we’d be doing if we excluded lighting at Veterans Park. 

It has been suggested that if we keep and upgrade the softball diamond at Glarner Park, a 1,250 square foot concession stand/bathroom would be needed there, at a cost to Village taxpayers of $312,500 ($250 per square foot).  I find this estimate absurd, but if we are to consider it, then we should be consistent in saying that the double garages currently serving those purposes at Veterans Park are inadequate.  In that case, a replacement structure should also be priced into the Veterans Park estimate.

However, the most important question facing us is why we’re even considering moving the softball diamond.  There seem to be two answers:  first is the notion that there are advantages to locating baseball and softball facilities together, rather than separately.  I agree with that sentiment.  If we’re to spend taxpayer money for that reason, though, it shouldn’t be a half-hearted effort.  The Village Parks Director has told the Village Board he believes at least one, and perhaps two more diamonds (perhaps configured for Little League) are needed to meet our community’s long-term needs.  I believe any plan that doesn’t include room for additional future diamonds (such as would be the case at Veterans Park) is a wasteful half-measure. 

The second (and I believe “real”) reason for the proposed relocation is to make room for a new library building in Glarner Park.  I believe we should only relocate the Glarner Park diamond if and when ample proof is offered that the library project is truly ready to move forward.  To move forward with confidence, we’ll need to know how construction, furnishings, equipment, landscaping and parking lot will be paid for, and how the ongoing operation and maintenance of said facility will be afforded.  As regards these upfront costs, if a concession stand with bathrooms costs $250 per square foot, I cannot imagine how we’d build, furnish, equip, landscape, etc. a new library for anything less than $300 per square foot.  Thus, even a 10,000 square foot facility would cost $3 million.

With this in mind, it’s important to understand the current status and history of the Library Board’s capital campaign.  The goal set in a document presented by the Library Board in late 2012 indicated that their fundraising goal was $1.25 million, raised in time to begin construction by Spring of 2013.  Now, nearly five years later, the actual amount raised for construction is roughly $730,000 – less than 60% of that goal.  To get to that point, the Library Board spent roughly $80,000 on the services of a fundraising consultant, and more than $40,000 more on money management and other services provided by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. 

We should thank and celebrate those who have donated, and those who have worked so hard to raise the funds currently in hand.  But we must also acknowledge that the difference between goal and reality is cause for serious doubt that the new library project is anywhere near being ready to proceed. 

I see a worst-case scenario taking shape, as follows:  we spend a large sum of money to relocate the softball diamond to Veterans Park, to make room for the new library.  Fundraising and other necessary elements for the new library don’t fall into place, so it doesn’t get built.  A few years later the need for additional ball diamonds comes to fruition.  There isn’t room for them at Veterans Park, so we’re forced to locate them elsewhere, which results in baseball/softball facilities that are again split, rather than consolidated.  This scenario has the potential to be a real waste of taxpayer money, and best avoided.  We only have one chance to get this right, and if we’re wise, we’ll look before we leap.

Greg Thoemke

Trustee, Village of New Glarus

Chair, Village of New Glarus Parks & Recreation Committee