Mead School Board Delays Decision On Baseball Field

A decision on a proposed Pony League baseball field was indefinitely delayed this week while Mead School District board members collect more information.

The decision was expected last Tuesday , but was taken off the agenda.

Neighbors opposing the project say they were never told the matter was off the agenda. They showed up at the meeting expecting an answer.

They were told the board needed more time to make a decision.

“We had promised to get back to them with a decision in two weeks, but we need to explore other options and see what else might be available for baseball property,” said Robert Olson, board president.

Olson said the baseball group proposed building on the 10-acre site next to Meadow Ridge School more than a year ago.

“We thought it was great,” said Olson. “We said ‘let’s move ahead with this,’ and tried to obtain permits and do postings. That’s when the neighbors became concerned.

“We thought it was a grand idea to have a place for kids to play baseball. There was no expense to the district, and the district could use the fields, too.”

Part of the problem, neighbors say, was rushed paperwork and inaccurate design plans filed with Spokane County by the baseball supporters.

The plans, calling for adult-size diamonds, lighting and a concession stand, panicked the neighbors.

Pony League supporters say they just made some mistakes. They did not return phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

“We were surprised,” Olson said of the neighbors’ opposition. “Next time we will include the patrons,” said Olson.

Sue Fischer, one of the neighbors opposing the project, said if Pony League baseball representatives had talked to the neighborhood first, they could have avoided conflict.

“If they had been up front and clear on their plans, instead of all this backdoor stuff and deception, we might have felt better about this,” said Fischer.

Some of the neighbors, angry that the district never told them about the proposal or informed them of meetings, say they’ve lost confidence in the school board.

“I trusted my school board, now I don’t. It’s a real bad feeling,” said Fischer.

, DataTimes