Town votes to turn over park

The Flomaton Town Council unanimously voted Monday to end its 99-year lease with the Escambia County School System and turn Hurricane Park over to the school board. The school board is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. on Feb. 16 at Flomaton High School with accepting the park on the agenda.

Flomaton Town Hall was packed with standing room only on Feb. 7 for a public meeting to discuss the proposal from the school board to take over the park. In 1985 the town leased the majority of the land that now encompasses the park from the school board.

Questions concerned not only maintenance but access to the park once it is turned over to the school board.

The school board's proposal to the town was for the school system to 'reasonably' maintain the tennis courts, basketball court and playground. The school board will keep the areas outside of the ball fences mowed and will be responsible for upgrades necessary to the baseball field to comply with distance standards. The board also stated it will 'reasonably' maintain the baseball and softball fields, used by Flomaton High School, in compliance with Alabama High School Association standards.

The agreement is for the school board and the town to split the electrical, water, sewer and water bills.

The school board will agree to allow Little League baseball, softball and football teams to continue using the property.

School Board Attorney Broxx Garett said teams that utilize the T-ball and Little League fields will be responsible for keeping those fields up.

Mayor Bondurant noted the town has kept the park up for 36 years.

Garrett noted what happened in the past is in the past and that the school board wants to make it right for all ball fields.

"The area where the majority of the fields are located is owned by the school board and leased to the town," Garett added. "We can't spend school money except for school purposes."

Garrett noted everything was based on the town council's decision saying again that the school board can't spend a lot of money on property it doesn't own or control.

Bondurant said he was first told that the school board would build a new concession stand. Garrett said the concession stand would be addressed and it would be better that what's at the park now.

Bondurant said the proposal from the school board doesn't mention the concession stand but Garrett said plans have been drawn up but need to be approved to the Alabama Board of Education.

Attorney Kirk Garrett said the school board will likely get an electrical engineer to evaluate the lights in the park.

John Sansom asked about the lake and was told the lake will remain with the town.

Former Councilman Buster Crapps said he signed the first contract allowing the town to lease the property and one choice is to cooperate for the betterment of the park.

Councilman Jim Johnson said it's not all about Little League, noting it was for the betterment of all the children.

The school board said the public will still have access to the park, such as the walking trail, basketball court, tennis court and playground.

Bo Newton said the younger kids deserve a nice place to play and it was noted the school board, the principal and coaches will sit down and work out schedules.

"I'd like to thank the school board for wanting to do something," Councilman Johnson said.

Broxx Garett did note that it would be nice for the town to build additional fields.

Monday night the town council approved an ordinance to end the lease and turn the property back over to the school board.

"I've pulled my hair out," Mayor Bondurant said. "From a business standpoint it's something we've got to do."

Flomaton High School Principal Mark Harbison said he will work with the softball coaches and will meet with the Little League coaches, noting all high school coaches will report to him.