Commission approved recreation facility agreement

Four months after verbally committing to a multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners followed through on its pledge.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, commissioners approved a recreation facility agreement that formalizes the $2.8 million commitment.
County administrator Pat Yoder said an inordinate amount of legalities had to be sorted through by the county’s attorney, and financial-related matters had to be in order before the transaction was finalized – a process made official with Tuesday’s vote.
As he did in September, commissioner Robin Baker cast the dissenting vote Tuesday. He said afterward the county is not in the business of building sports complexes. Furthermore, he said the action sets a potential precedence.
The proposed complex, estimated to cost at least $3.9 million to develop, is slated for an area in Lockport Township along Enterprise Drive, east of North Main Street. It would be exclusively for youth sports and feature three football, six soccer, four baseball and four softball fields.
Lockport Township Supervisor Ray Signorello addressed commissioners prior to their vote Tuesday. He expressed dismay at what he said was no communication between the sports complex committee and the township.