BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. (WSBT) — St. Joseph Township is wanting to invest in the future of youth sports with a proposed 40-acre youth sports facility.
The massive query on Monday is, how will this venture be funded?
“So $8 to $10 million right now is an estimate for the total final project. And it would have to be done in phases,” mentioned Denise Cook, (R) St. Joseph Township supervisor.
St. Joseph Township is pushing for transparency on the vacant property owned by Hanson International, which may very well be turned from vacant land to a youth sports facility.
Located at Maiden Lane and Hollywood Road, west of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA.
The 40-acres may quickly be changed into youth baseball fields, softball fields and flag soccer fields.
“The purpose of this grant is to acquire land for a park. and were working with the Hanson property people to purchase the land from them with this grant,” mentioned Cook.
But some township leaders had issues in regards to the repairs of the proposed property and the general price range.
“I just think this is just a big ask for the few people to create something that they want our township to pay for,” mentioned a St. Joseph Township resident.
Township officers defined that by making use of for the Michigan Natural Resources Fund.
The grant would cowl the bulk of development bills.
Another manner the township expects money stream is by holding a pay-to-play price for leagues to use the property for occasions.
This will permit upkeep to be sustained as soon as the advanced is constructed.
The township formally voted to apply for the grant tonight.
According to officers, they will not be notified till December of this yr of the result of the appliance.
Even if the township does obtain funds, it could nonetheless select to scrap the general venture.
But Cook says that is a dialogue for a later date.
“If this project goes and it will be a fantastic addition for the township and for the neighboring communities, too,” mentioned Cook.
According to officers, this venture is in the early phases and so they mentioned it is depending on the result of the grant to see if the venture strikes ahead.