Brad Rasmussen, president of the Gerald Athletic Association (GAA), again addressed the Gerald Board of Aldermen Thursday, March 11. 

Rasmussen had approached the board last spring with safety concerns about the ballfield light poles in City Park. He asked then that the city consider a cost-share plan with GAA in replacing both the rotting poles and non-functional lights. The Board of Aldermen now control the park funds which could be used for the project. 

At the March 11 meeting, Rasmussen told the board GAA had already spent $2,500 on goods and services towards the project. Replacing the lights is a safety issue during night time games. In unlit sections of the outfield, players may lose sight of a ball in the air. 

Two of the poles, on which the lights are mounted, are now in such bad shape, contractors are reluctant to work on the lights attached to them, according to Rasmussen. 

Originally, the GAA asked the city, using park funds, to shoulder $8,000 of the anticipated total cost of $12,000. That total figure included replacing three poles and 12 light units. 

Ward 1 Alderman Steve Grgurich reminded Rasmussen and other board members that the park has very little money. The board is also considering renovating Legion Hall in Legion Park by upgrading the windows, painting, and landscaping with those limited park funds. 

Grgurich also stated that a small number of actual residents participate in programs offered through GAA and felt the burden on taxpayers would be too great for the benefit of so few. 

GAA runs youth programs for t-ball, softball, baseball and soccer. They pay an annual fee to the park to compensate for their heavy usage of the ball fields. 

At many of these games, Gerald teams host visiting teams from other towns. While it may be true that not a whole lot of the local team members live inside that city limits, it would be hard to calculate the economic impact those games have on local businesses. 

Grgurich also mentioned that his fellow Ward 1 representative, Angie Koepke, was absent from the meeting. Koepke has, in the past, shown a strong knowledge of park usage and GAA efforts. He suggested the issue be tabled until Koepke is in attendance at a future meeting. 

In the meantime, Rasmussen was asked to forward to city officials details on the specific cost of each part of the project.