North Huntingdon nixes plans for multi-use field at Oak Hollow Park
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A multi-use field at North Huntingdon’s Oak Hollow Park is not in the near future for the township since North Huntingdon officials determined that an estimated $3 million price tag was too expensive.
Commissioners decided not to apply for a $500,000 grant to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to build a $2.4 million natural turf field with an electric scoreboard, concession stand and bathrooms, an expanded parking lot, football goal posts and bleachers.
Even if the state approved the maximum grant for $500,000, North Huntingdon would be required to cover the remaining costs, said Harry Faulk, township manager. With design and engineering costs of about $700,000, the project would top $3 million.
Commissioner Ronald Zona said he would be opposed to applying for the grant.
“The project goes way overboard. A lot of residents were against it. It’s not a judicious use of our money,” Zona said.
Commission Eric Gass said he was not in favor of spending on the multi-purpose field when there are five houses along Frog Road that are in danger of collapsing if flooding and stormwater runoff problems get worse.
When the commissioners in September discussed the proposal of putting a multi-use field at Oak Hollow Park, several residents living in the neighborhood expressed their opposition because of the additional traffic expected on Morris Avenue and Timothy Drive.
Parents of children who play in sports leagues supported the proposal, saying such a field is needed in North Huntingdon.
The commissioners did agree to apply for a grant to repair the spillway and dam at Indian Lake Park.
Faulk said the repairs are necessary because water is leaking at the dam. That project could cost between $500,000 and $700,000, Faulk said.
While spending money a multi-purpose sports field is on the back burner for the township, the commissioners favored applying for a $110,500 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant to construct pickleball courts at Oak Hollow Park. The board is expected to vote to approve that application at its Feb. 21 meeting.