by Kevin Lilly
What is now in cut beans will be in green grass with chalked white lines between bases by next year.
On Monday, ground was broken on four additional baseball/softball fields and up to eight youth football and soccer fields at AIM-Hi Park, located across the street from the Cass County Fairgrounds. The project was made possible by the Cass County Commissioners donating farmland that borders the complex.
“It is only through the vision and foresight of the commissioners that we are in position to expand upon the dream that began with the two fields,” said Julian Ridlen, former judge of Cass Circuit Court and catalyst for the AIM-Hi program for troubled youth.
The commissioners gave up $6,000 the county had been getting by renting the land for farming.
“It’s a good trade off,” said Kain, who threw the first shovel full of soil. “It opens up opportunities for the community to host the tournaments.”
Mike McCord, AIM-Hi board member, said a single weekend with a 10-team softball tournament brought between $40,000 and $60,000 of economic impact to Logansport with out-of-town families filling hotel rooms, buying food and shopping.
Ridlen spoke at Monday’s event, which drew members of the AIM board, the site development committee and youth involved in the program.
“A rock thrown upon the water will create many ripples,” he said, “and as we break ground today, the expansion of AIM-Hi Park will have many ramifications for the children and families of the Cass County community.”
The complex now features two completed baseball and softball fields. Last year, two tournaments brought in 19 teams. This year, four tournaments are scheduled that will bring in 44 teams.
“If the four fields get built and they’re ready for 2008, we will bring in a minimum of 120 softball teams in six tournaments with a maximum capacity of 180 teams,” said Robert Peconga Jr., Indiana assistant state director of the National Softball Association.
Teams will come from all over the state, and some out-of-state teams will show up. Because of space limitations on two fields, teams have been turned away this year, Peconga said.
“I think we will have a wonderful facility out here,” Kain said. “It’s going to take a lot of volunteers, which they seem to have.”
Many individuals, organizations and local businesses have contributed to the project so far, McCord said.
“This was done all by community spirit, donations and volunteers,” McCord said.
Next week the AIM-Hi site development committee will meet to discuss plans for completing the project. Earth moving should begin in June or July, Ridlen said.
Ridlen is confident the project will be completed by next year. He plans to line up at least one intern from Ball State University to work on the project for the summer. Ball State students provided a model of the project last year.
The complex is part of the 20/20 Vision, a long-range strategic plan for the AIM project. Ridlen clarified the meaning of 20/20 Vision during his speech.
“It is really what we want to see over the course of years, but it doesn’t mean we are going to wait until the year 2020 to get the job done,” Ridlen said. “It’s happening now.”
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are still needed for the AIM-Hi project. Anyone interested should contact Julian Ridlen at his office (574) 753-3476 or his home at (574) 9640.
Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com
