The City Council recently awarded two bids in the combined amount of $666,000 for improvements at Rotary Park (behind Pfizer) including the reconstruction of two softball fields on the site, the construction of a locker room and score tower/concession stand; and a new entry road with an on-site parking lot from Ash Street. One additional contract for field lighting is yet to be awarded.
The fields will be used by Tennessee High and Vance Middle School girls softball teams during their seasons and will be available for city recreation league use during other times. The project will be cost shared by the city and the school system - another example of a great working relationship.
Back in February 1940, the city fathers (sorry but they were all men) adopted a resolution at the request of the then movement to establish professional baseball in Bristol indcating a willingness to sell or lease Rotary Field to parties that would bring organized baseball to town. I guess nobody came to the party with an offer - a good thing for girls softball today.
