Improvements at the ball diamonds north of the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds are expected to give a boost to sports tourism.
All of the wooden light poles at the four ball diamonds at Dunn Stadium will be replaced next year, Bartholomew County Parks Director Rich Day said. Instead, ball players and spectators will see steel poles with LED lights to provide a wider and higher field of vision during night games, Day said.
Many of the wooden poles now being used at Dunn are about 34 years old and starting to rot, the parks director said. In contrast, most companies offering the steel poles are offering guarantees ranging from 15 to 25 years, he said.
In order to save money, Day said his staff will be working with some employees from the Bartholomew County Highway Garage to remove the deteriorating poles.
Bids are scheduled to be opened on Monday, Dec. 19. Day said there are only two times next year when the pole replacements can take place. The winning bidder can do the work either in March or in August, Day said.
The county will use discretionary federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to pay for the new lights.
During the summer months, Dunn Stadium is extensively used in baseball and softball tournament that are held nearly every weekend.
Sports tourism has frequently been cited as having a significant impact on the local economy after business trips declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even more visitors connected to sports tournaments are expected to come to Bartholomew County after the NexusPark facility is completed in Columbus.
