CLENDENIN, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Commission has granted $20,000 toward a $75,000 renovation project for the Herbert Hoover High School baseball field.
Herbert Hoover Grand Slam Club President J.R. Oliver said that $20,000 had already been raised, so the commission granted a match of that number. He described some of the work that needs to be done with the facility.
“We’re going to fix the playing surface itself,” Oliver said. “But also we’re going to replace a backstop that was built in the mid 70’s and a backstop that was built around the same time.”
He said the field had been renovated here and there, but most of the facility hasn’t been touched since 1976. Commission President Kent Carper felt it was a good use of funds.
“Why use public funds to fix a ball field so kids will stay off the street and stay out of trouble,” he asked. “I think the answer is obvious. It’s a good investment. When you look at that community, they don’t ask for much. They want a safe place for their kids to play ball.”
Commissioner Dave Hardy echoed Carper’s feelings on granting the money.
“This allows the school and the community groups to get three or four fold increase on use of the field,” he explained. “And it allows us to improve recreation at a very minimal cost.”
Oliver said that the club was hoping to reach its $75,000 goal through more fundraising and possibly receiving some help from the school board.