A crew works on a renovation project at the Lake Fayetteville Softball Complex on Aug. 30, 2023. (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)The parking lot just west of Lake Fayetteville was closed this week to allow for construction related to the city’s renovations of the nearby softball complex.
The lot is expected to be partially opened sometime in December.
Parking to access the lake and trail will still be available at North Shore Park, Veterans Memorial Park, the Environmental Study Center and the trailhead parking lot next to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
Officials broke ground on the renovation project in July.
The $2.7 million project includes several improvements to the 48-year-old complex, which mostly serves the city’s adult recreational leagues and an occasional youth tournament.
The work calls for replacing the complex’s three dirt fields with synthetic turf, adding new dugouts and fencing, and improving the spectator areas.
The project also includes improvements to the area’s storm drainage infrastructure, which officials said is long overdue.
Byron Humphry, the city’s parks maintenance superintendent, said rain has a tendency to wash out the fields which can cause game cancellations. He said between the drainage upgrades and the artificial turf – which dries quickly – the area should be much more playable after a storm.
The council last year approved a $146,780 contract with Crafton Tull for design of the project. Crossland Heavy Contractors was hired in March for $38,950 for construction management of the project.
Money for the project comes from the parks bond issue voters approved in 2019.
Humphry said if enough funds remain, the plan is to also make some improvements to the lighting at the complex.
Byron Humphry, the city’s parks maintenance superintendent, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Lake Fayetteville softball complex on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)
Lake Fayetteville softball complex (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)
Lake Fayetteville softball complex (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)
