Ernie Apt. Park, located in Fairborn, OH, was approved for major renovations, costing $13.6 million and including the addition of several new ballfields, equipment and more.
On Sunday, Jan. 18, the plan was unveiled at a meeting at Fairborn High School to update Ernie Apt. Park, a sports park owned by Fairborn Cement Company.
The renovations will update the sports field existing at the park, including a football field, two dirt infield fields, two synthetic turf infield fields and three grass infield fields. They will also add new parking spaces, a new concession stand with shaded seating, new bleachers, new dugouts and improvements to the existing park, according to the report.
Marilyn McCauley, the Project Chair, shared the reason for these renovations.
“Because of the needs of the park itself, the physical facilities have got to be upgraded to take care of the kids for the future,” McCauley said.
Ernie Apt. Park is currently used by two sports leagues in the area, the Fairborn Little League and Wee Hawks Football. These updated fields will offer more space for the kids.
Brian Bayless is the director of the Fairborn Little League. This plan will have an effect on his league and the kids in it.
“[The plan is] to give the kids a good platform, a good area, that they can feel safe, they can feel protected, these kids can grow,” Bayless said.
Renovations are projected to take several years to complete, with work being done in sections. The project chairs are also looking to the community for donations to help with the cost and are now accepting any funds offered.
Despite some pushback over the large cost, most community members shared their support for the plan. Taking the meeting to the public was the first step, so renovations can now begin.
