Turf Times

ANAHUAC— After a lengthy discussion on turfing infields at two sports complexes in June, the item was back on the Chambers County Commissioners Court agenda last week but with a different outcome.

Commissioners met on Tuesday, July 8, sharing another lengthy discussion on turfing infields, which passed with a 2-1 vote.

The heavily discussed item was for the Jim Silva Sports Complex and Don McCleod Sports Complex at just under $2.3 million.

Resident AC Lowe was back to share concerns over the item, reiterating the same sentiment that until the needs of the county are met, this amount of funding should not go to turf.

“This is the exact same proposal that couldn’t get a motion two weeks ago,” Lowe said. “So, I guess this is just the old way of doing things. We just keep presenting until people get tired of coming up here and telling you no.”

Lowe added that there should have been grass in the initial design of the fields and that the county could plant grass rather than add turf.

When presenting the item, Director of Parks and Recreation John Parrott said, “It’s the times we’re in,” adding that a notable number of communities have turf fields.

Parrott said about half of the tournaments at those facilities this past season were canceled due to rain, and the Westside complex is already booked every weekend for softball tournaments.

After Parrott said he had multiple conversations with various leagues that would like to see turf, Commissioner Tommy Hammond shared concerns.

Hammond noted that during the previous meeting, Parrott and Commissioner Mark Tice didn’t have calls seeking turf.

“Now, all of a sudden, there’s this huge outcry that this has to be done. So, that was all orchestrated to get this back on court,” Hammond said.

During the last meeting, Parrott said he hadn’t heard anything from parents, but when asked, parents liked the idea.

Hammond also said nothing has changed since the last meeting regarding roadways or drainage, adding that some county employees are working out of trailers and some barricading doors with sandbags to prevent flooding.

Tice then said the county spent almost $80 million in recent years on roadways and drainage, adding that he didn’t receive calls before the last meeting, but after the item died, he began receiving calls.

Commissioner Ryan Dagley hopped into the conversation, saying the project was an item in last year’s budget, noting that was why he hadn’t received calls prior to the previous meeting.

“When it died from a lack of motion...it sounded the alarm to those folks...and I think that’s why we got calls,” Dagley said.

Dagley added that multiple road and drainage projects are ongoing, and the tax rate was lowered last year while budgeting for luxury items.

Just before voting, Hammond said he had not received any calls about the item.

The item then passed with Hammond voting against.

Commissioners approved reallocating $8.5 million from a Chambers Parkway fund to another fund for the construction of the Chambers Parkway Community Building and Soccer Complex, awarded to Carter Construction.

The new complex will be located in the Baytown area off Gordon Speer Chambers Parkway, south of Walmart and on the east side of Pine Meadows subdivision.

Commissioners also approved going out for bids for McCollum Park to build a parking lot and road, and they awarded Kirksey Architecture for the new Legion Hall for $153,995.

Current county employees received a 50% discount on green fees for the Chambers County Golf Course.