CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Aging light poles at two Bradley County ball fields will be replaced this year to eliminate a safety hazard.
Lights at the baseball complex on Urbane Road and at the football field for young players at Charleston Elementary School have been in place for nearly 40 years, county Parks and Recreation Director Paul Wyrick said.
County commissioners voted recently to authorize County Mayor D. Gary Davis to sign contracts for the work, subject to review by the county attorney.
The Urbane Road project is estimated at $198,000. The Charleston project is estimated at nearly $90,000, county Finance Committee figures show.
“Some of these are actually starting to deteriorate,” Commissioner Lisa Stanbery said.
“There is no question that the project is needed,” said Commissioner Ed Elkins.
But Mrs. Stanbery and Mr. Elkins questioned whether the long-term repayment plan could be avoided.
Mr. Elkins said it will take 15 years to pay off the Urbane Road project through Cleveland Utilities and 10 years to pay off the Charleston project through Volunteer Energy.
But Mr. Davis said the payment plans include maintenance over the coming years, eliminating a future county expense.
At a recent county school board meeting, board member Troy Weathers wondered if the old lights could have a second life at Lake Forest Middle School. But he was told the light poles’ deteriorating condition prevents that.
BY THE NUMBERS
$198,000: Urbane Road project cost
$90,000: Charleston project cost
Source: Bradley County Commission Finance Committee