City to turn Lanier Point into fastpitch facility

GAINESVILLE - Don't get used to the beautiful, green grass on the Lanier Point Softball fields too much longer.

In an effort to accommodate the growing trend of fastpitch softball, the city will be replacing the grass with dirt.

Gainesville Parks and Rec Director Melvin Cooper presented his capital projects plan to the City Council Thursday, with $70,000 of his $241,000 appropriations package going toward Lanier Point renovations.

"There aren't any high school teams in the area that play slowpitch anymore - everyone has switched to fastpitch," Cooper said. "By doing this we will be able to accommodate the fastpitch teams and still be able to host some tournaments. Without the changes, we won't be able to host any fastpitch.

"We'll still be able to have slowpitch games so we'll be able to do both now. That means more revenue for the complex."

Cooper said the changes should be ready in time for Spring tournaments.

PARADE PLANS

In other council work session action, the City of Gainesville may have to go before a judge to see if a proposed Memorial Day parade being put together by the American Legion can proceed.

At issue are the proposed routes and whether state roads can be used or even crossed.

Gainesville City Attorney Bubba Palmour said it may work to the organizers and the city's advantage to go that route.

"I think what we should come with a route and then present that before we do anything else," Palmour said. "If (the DOT and judge) know where we're going, we'll have a better chance of pulling it off."

City Manager Bryan Shuler said that's easier said than done.

"We had a problem with the Christmas Lights thing. The DOT did not want us to close (Green Street) so we had to keep two lanes open. And that was on a Sunday, at night," Shuler said.

Organizers' original plan is to start at Brenau and go down Washington Street across E.E. Butler, around the square and back down Spring Street and back over E.E. Butler to Brenau.

The council as a whole said it would like to see a grand parade on Green Street, and by going to judge ahead of time may be able to get it done.

"We may have to change our ordnance to do this but I think that may be the way to go," Bob Hamrick said.

"I remember those great parade's down Green Street and I would like to see something like that. We should put our best face forward," George Wangemann said.

Gene Shadburn, who is in charge of putting the plans together for now, said he will bring the idea up at the planning meeting set for Friday.