JOINT EFFORT Donations to help renovate ball field

The city is getting a list of just what material will be needed for the task.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- It would cost the city about $300,000 to completely renovate the Jefferson Avenue baseball field without any donated material or labor for the job.
That's the cost estimate prepared by architect Greer Hayden of HHSDR of Sharon, said Mayor David O. Ryan.
Hayden presented the figure at a public work session Monday on efforts to revamp the ball field.
However, the city, which owns most of the field, and the Sharon City School District, whose varsity baseball team uses it, are hoping to make improvements at a much lower cost.
Ryan said he and Dr. Donna DeBonis, superintendent, have some promises from area businesses, companies and skilled workers to volunteer some time and materials to the effort.
Necessary materials
The key now is to find out exactly how much soil, how much gravel, how many cement blocks, how much fencing and other materials will be needed for a complete renovation.
Hayden is working on that, and once those estimates are in, Ryan said a small committee will be formed to again approach businesses and workers asking them to come through with donations.
Wheatland Tube Co. has already offered to donate all of the pipe necessary for the fencing, the mayor said.
Sharon was able to secure a $25,000 state grant through Rep. Michael Gruitza of Hermitage, D-7th, to help pay for some of the work.
Part of the field, including home plate, a chunk of left field and the parking area, is on land owned by Sharon Country Club. The club has no objections to the city's using and improving the property, Ryan said.
Among other things, the field has a severe drainage problem with the left field line being about 5 feet higher than the right field line.
Preliminary estimates put the cost of outfield improvements at about $70,000 and infield work at about $36,000.
That doesn't include new fencing, new dugouts and seating for about 100 spectators.
Ideally, the city and school district will be able to tackle the entire field in one project, but, if necessary, some fund-raising effort will have to be launched to provide money to complete the work, Ryan said.