The new management of Keizer Little League Park is planning to address broken field lights, raised as a safety concern as the Keizer City Council considered changes in park operations.
Mike Higgins, regional manager with Sports Facilities, said his organization found in an audit last month that 11 field lights are out and one light structure is “in disrepair” on the park’s only lighted field.
Higgins and Clint Holland, who is a longtime volunteer with Keizer Little League, said the lighting doesn’t meet safety standards.
“It’s not the biggest issue, but certainly one we want to repair,” Higgins said.
He said that Sports Facilities would not allow use on the field until the lights are fixed, but noted that most games are played during daylight hours.
Holland said the lack of field lights poses a legal liability for the park, as well as a safety concern for players.
Sports Facilities took over management of the park in January, after the council decided to cut short its 10-year contract with For Love of the Game. The nonprofit arm of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes began overseeing the park in 2021.
Prior to that, the park was maintained by volunteers.
Higgins said his organization will follow lighting standards set for high school activities by the state, although Holland noted that other organizations, like Little League, have their own lighting standards.
Higgins said the lights will be fixed before the park’s first tournament of the season, which will be held on March 7. Beyond the field lights, Higgins said the company’s audit revealed a home plate that needs to be raised before the field can be used.
“From a playability standpoint, the fields are in pretty good shape and we’ll be ready for opening day and in a great condition,” Higgins said.
Holland said the loss of field lights began a few years ago with more light bulbs burning out over time.
He said a number of maintenance issues arose in common areas in recent years. These include drains that were filled or clogged, causing pooling water in walkways and some fields, and electricity issues in the bathrooms and concession stands.
Holland and Higgins said that dugout structures were knocked down by storms after last year’s playing season.
The now-terminated contract between For Love of the Game and the city of Keizer placed responsibility for maintaining the park and addressing complaints and safety issues on the park’s manager.
When asked for an interview, the park’s former general manager, Mickey Walker, sent Keizertimes the termination agreement between For Love of the Game and the city. In the agreement, the city states that the nonprofit “fully performed all obligations” under its contract and is in “good standing.”
The documents says the contract’s termination “shall be deemed no-fault, and shall not be construed as a default, breach, failure of performance or wrongdoing” by For Love of the Game.
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