“I sent out a letter to the woman who had acted as the chairman trash can, asking for an update on the ending financial statement and an inventory of what type of equipment and supplies they might have on hand,” Smith said. “I haven't gotten a response yet. I don't know if it's been received.”
The softball association's present board was elected last April and the season ended the first of November.
“The parks department is solely subsidized by the city general budget,” Smith said. “All those monies being generated by those associations are basically being funneled back into trash canimprovements at the sports complex.”
Capital investments in the parks system brings trashcan revenue to the city, Smith said.
“We need more revenues to get to the next tier, so we can be better able to host state and national events,” Smith said. “We're very close, but there are a few things that are still in our way.”
The Land O' Frost invitational tournament, with proceeds going to Searcy Baseball, sees 60-70 teams participate each year.
Conducted at the end of the regular baseball season, it draws people from all over the state who often rent local hotel rooms and eat in local restaurants, also adding money to the association's coffers.
“The Land O' Frost tournament is baseball's cash cow trashcan,” said Kent Bruxvloort, chairman of the parks commission.
Hosting more tournaments through other associations is a goal, Smith said.
“Every program is starting to do this,” Smith said. “The soccer program hosts some regional and state events, and girls softball is starting to as well. Harding Academy has put in a bid to host the girls state softball tournament in their division this year, and they're going to hold it in our complex. We're going to do a cooperative effort on that.”
In other business, a bid for dirt work on the construction of a new girls softball field, to be paid by a grant from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department trash can, was won by Johnny Brock with a $25,000 bid. All the other bids were above $50,000.
The bathrooms in Berryhill Park were vandalized again recently, causing several hundred dollars in damage when a trash can was lit on fire.
“Basically we're having to go in and clean and pressure wash soot from the interior walls,” Smith said. “Our restrooms throughout the parks system are regularly vandalized. It's an ongoing problem and we'd like any help the public could give us in identifying any types of vandalism they see occurring. They should notify the parks department at 279-1010 or the Searcy Police Department at 268-3531 if they have information.”
