West Deer officials agree to lease township recreation fields to various youth sports groups

Deer Lakes youth sports teams will now have a home at two of West Deer’s parks.

The township approved annual leases to each association.

The Deer Lakes youth baseball, softball, football, soccer and lacrosse associations were approved for almost identical leases at Bairdford Park and Nike Site Park.

The leases call for a token payment of $1 a year. The actual payment will come in the form of sweat equity and materials, as each has agreed to handle a portion of the upkeep and maintenance on their respective fields.

Youth baseball and softball teams will have use of Bairdford Park, while football and lacrosse teams will play at Nike Site Park. Portions of both parks have been leased to the youth soccer association.

“It’s in an effort to best support all of our youth associations,” said West Deer Supervisors Chairman Arlind Karpuzi.

The leases will automatically renew each year unless a particular youth association or the township gives the other a written notice of termination.

Bairdford Park is located at 50 Bairdford Park Road, off Saxonburg Boulevard, and Nike Site Park can be found off Route 910.

According to Jay Fraser, president of the youth baseball association, the lease is critical.

After disagreements last August between the township and youth baseball regarding which group would pay for what at the Bairdford Park baseball fields, Fraser said he’s excited about the lease and the relationship his association has formed with the township over the past five months.

The youth baseball association will be covering the costs of electricity usage, which was the problem at hand in August.

“We’re very excited about the future of Deer Lakes Baseball, and the future of Deer Lakes Baseball at Bairdford Park,” Fraser said. “Thanks to the township for working with us to get this in place.”

Township Manager Daniel Mator said the leases guarantee the youth organizations a place to play. Should others be using a particular field say, for a pick-up game, the association leasing that field could ask them to leave.

Mator said the youth organizations provide a very valuable service to township residents by providing local kids a place to play.

“In order for them to be able to utilize those fields when they want to, these leases are important,” Mator said.

The township will mow the fields and perform general park maintenance. The youth baseball association will be in charge of maintaining things like as fences and dugouts. The other youth organizations will also be paying for their lease in terms of maintaining and improving the fields.

“We are the ones using those things, and we should bear the cost of maintaining them,” Fraser said.

The youth baseball association has plans to invest an estimated $30,000 into the fields for repairs. Planned improvements include upgrades to the existing concession stand, updating the infield dirt and sod, and installing a windscreen to the main field, B1, that will protect the fences.

“We’re very happy that after a long period of time finally being able to put this agreement in place and not have to, as an organization, be fearful that we’re going to have to find a new home for Deer Lakes Baseball,” Fraser said.

Deer Lakes Youth Softball also made a statement regarding their share of Bairdford Park: “Deer Lakes Softball Association is pleased to have a written agreement with the township for use of the fields at Bairdford Park. This will strengthen our relationship with the township and allow the young athletes of our community to participate in youth softball. We are happy to have a lease agreement in place.”

Janet Surma is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Janet at jsurma@triblive.com.