The City of Independence agrees to a meeting with USD 446 to negotiate the terms of the school district's use of city ballparks.

 

Up for discussion at the work session will be USD 446's use of the baseball and softball fields at the Central Park Sports Complex on Park Boulevard. Construction on the brand new, $11 million facility is still underway, though many of the new fields are open for use. Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer says many groups came together to fund the new ballparks.

 

The City initially asked the school district to contribute $2 million for the project, a number that was then lowered to $1 million. However, Passauer says the City has decided to forego that option and to offer the district a 15-year, long-term usage plan.

 

Passauer says the agreement would allow the district to pay for the use of the fields while also giving school teams priority.

 

The City Commission voted to attend the work session on August 20^th at Memorial Hall. The two groups will then be able to discuss the issue together to find a solution that satisfies both parties.