The latest reviewed plan was submitted to the Hays City Commissioners to fit within the $8 million project budget of the sports complex. The project is estimated to be complete within the allotted budget with a total cost of $7.8 million. Cost savings will be used for further enhancement of the project.
The design of the sports complex includes six baseball/softball fields, with one full four-field pinwheel that would be lighted, and another half a pinwheel with two fields to be completed later. The paved parking will also be changed to unpaved parking, and also reduce with six soccer fields than the originally planned eight fields.
Focus has been given to the basic need of including 12 ball fields and centralizing amenities. The preliminary designs call for alternate bids for including amenities like bleachers, a playground area, a picnic area, up to four additional fields, and road lighting as per the funding available.
Plans to irrigate the sports complex have also been approved by the commissioners. A new pump station will be incorporated at the pond located behind the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course, and will be dredged for this purpose.
Olsson Associates, a US-based engineering company overseeing the sports complex development, will design the water system improvements for the county.
