Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project : Sports Complex improvements

Rain postpones Grand Opening of Champion Fields at Old Settlers Park

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:20:00 GMT

The recent heavy rain and rains this morning have postponed the opening of the Champion Fields and Season Kickoff for the Round Rock Baseball League. The grand opening will now take place on Sunday, March 29 at 2:30 pm at Field 7 followed by games on the new fields. For more information, please visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or call Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

Tennis building now open!

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:30:00 GMT

On March 4, the City of Round Rock hosted the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Tennis Building at Old Settlers Park. As part of the $18.2 million in renovations to the Sports Complexes at Old Settlers Park, the opening brought out several tennis players eager to go inside and see the new building.

Avid tennis player and Former City Councilmember Ted Williamson; Councilmember Rufus Honeycutt; and Rick Atkins, Director of Parks and Recreation cut the ribbon and handed keys to Gwen Kingery, President of the Round Rock Tennis Association for the use of the new facility.

The building includes temperature-controlled restrooms and a pro-shop area convenient for hosting and organizing tournaments. The Round Rock Tennis Association celebrated with refreshments as guests toured the new building. Check out the Tennis Building Ribbon Cutting on Flickr.

What do you think?

About the schedule for tournaments and league play at the Old Setters Park Sports Complex

Will Hampton — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:54:00 GMT

From Rick Atkins, the City's Parks and Recreation Director:

In response to the President of the Round Rock Baseball League’s recent comment about the use of fields for a tournament this past weekend, the tournament in question, as well as two remaining tournaments, are a collaborative effort between the former Round Rock Youth Baseball league and the City of Round Rock and our Convention and Visitors Bureau. We committed to host these tournaments well over a year and half ago. Also, we capped the number of teams involved due to the current construction. (I think it’s also worth noting that half of the teams in last week’s tournament were made up of local kids.) Finally, from a facility/project management standpoint, it is far easier to accommodate a tournament for a weekend rather than league play every day of the week.

The City has worked diligently to condense a two-year construction project into 18 months. We targeted a scheduled completion date of March 1 and have achieved several milestones for the project, such as being able to host a shortened fall softball league for the girls program. Nevertheless, because of our high standards and attention to detail, we have not achieved substantial completion of the entire project. We refuse to accept an inferior product and are holding the contractor accountable to complete the work to our specifications.

The City has worked with the new Round Rock Baseball League to provide practice locations, including the completed fields at the Sports Complex, to ensure our kids have ample places to practice before starting the regular season. Extending the window of construction to March 23 should have minimal impact on league play because of the league’s policy of accommodating TAKS testing and spring break. League President Rusty Charlton estimates the late start will mean the loss of one or two games.

While this project has been a challenge for everyone, I believe the end result will be a big win for the league and the community. We will provide better fields for our local kids and provide a memorable experience to all of those who have the opportunity to enjoy our city as the Sports Capital of Texas. I know it’s hard to wait, but the final product will be worth it. GAME ON!

Getting closer - Baseball complex update

Terri Waggoner — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:01:00 GMT

We're currently working with the Round Rock Baseball League to set a final date for the Grand Opening of the baseball complex and tennis building. The tennis building is constructed and substantially complete with restrooms and concession area. One convenient feature is that the tennis organizations will be able to run tournaments out of the new building.

Final touches are underway on the baseball fields and complexes with restroom expansions and improved pedestrian walkways. Concrete is pouring and its really starting to look impressive. Once the Grand Opening date is finalized, we'll post it on the blog!

Sports Complex construction continues: proshop and parking lots

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:52:00 GMT

We've been buzzing about the Hall of Fame Softball Complex now that its open, but we are still pushing forward on the rest of the Sports Complex Improvement Project. The masonry is now in place for the proshop at the tennis courts and roofing is to begin this week and this week the North East Parking lot is set to be paved on Wednesday.

Entire park isn't closed, just the baseball and softball complex

Terri Waggoner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:09:00 GMT

Come out to Old Settlers! Only the baseball and softball complex are closed during construction and renovations for the Sports Capital Improvement Project. We have been getting calls from concerned residents. The entire park is not closed, only the baseball and softball complex. Residents and guests can still enjoy the Rock'N River family aquatic center, park trails, the lake, volleyball courts, disc golf course, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, football fields and pavilions. If you have any questions, call 512-218-5540!

Reminder: Baseball and softball fields close for renovations on July 21

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:05:00 GMT

The City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation, the Round Rock Baseball League and Sertoma Girls Softball league representatives met on May 14 and supported the postponement of fall baseball and softball play to accommodate construction of the Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project. This is a reminder that with the exception of any previously scheduled tournaments, July 21 is the closing date for the entire baseball and softball complex at Old Settlers Park.

The park will reopen in phases. The new girls softball complex is under construction currently and set to open in November 2008. The baseball complex is expected to be complete in February for Spring ball 2009.

If you haven't been out to Old Settlers Park in awhile, you'll see the shade structures and bleachers are installed at the Southwest and Northwest Complex, two softball fields have been converted to baseball fields at the Northeast complex, lights and fencing is complete at the new Girls Softball Complex and the foundation and walls for the concession and restroom facility at the softball complex is complete. Progress is occuring daily and this closure on July 21 will allow construction to move quickly and safely! For more information on the Sports Complex Improvements visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

Old Settlers Park Baseball Fields to close for Sports Complex Improvement Renovations

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:24:00 GMT

Fall Baseball and Softball League Play Postponed

The entire baseball and softball complex at Old Settlers Park will close on August 3, 2008.

“A project of this magnitude and scale normally takes about two years, but we are producing rapid results in a one-year period as we invest in the Sports Capital of Texas,” Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said. “The support we’ve received from the affected leagues plays an integral part in the success of this project. While the closure isn't until August 3, we want to provide baseball and softball participants ample awareness of the impact on the fall season.Working together, we know the future benefits will exceed the current setbacks.”

All leagues affected by the Old Settlers Park construction closure met to discuss the impact construction would have on the park and availability. “After meeting with a group of representatives from across the various affected leagues, we all agree that this minor setback will have a major benefit for our community,” The Round Rock Baseball League President Rusty Charleton said. “The City is investing in the future of baseball and softball in Round Rock and this closure is part of the fast track approach the city is taking. While this may impact us temporarily, the benefits will come back tenfold.”

“The park closure is necessary so we can complete this construction and have an even better facility,” Old Settlers Express President, Fred Ramirez said. “Baseball is very popular in this town and beyond as it’s a family pastime and a great method to get children to go outside and exercise.”

While construction is scheduled to take place in public areas including the concession and restroom areas, safety is a main priority. “I agree that safety is a main concern with these renovations,” Round Rock Youth Tournament Director, Rick Stevens said. “If we have heavy construction equipment out and about, we don’t need children at play. In addition, it will allow the Round Rock Baseball league some extra time to finalize our unified league before league play reconvenes.”

“In my experiences, construction and children don’t mix,” Charleton said. “We don’t need bulldozers, man holes, netting and children out in the complex during these final stages and massive renovations.”

“I strongly support the new complex renovations and the city has given us their most current information during our joint meetings,” Faith Zimmerman Commissioner of Round Rock Sertoma Girls Softball league said. “I expect this new complex will make us the premier facility because we’re going to knock their socks off! We are willing to salvage part of our fall season in expectation of future success. A delayed fall season is one solution we’re currently planning.”

The Old Settlers Park Sports Complex Improvement Project is on a phased construction schedule with various parts of the complex set to re-open at different times. Funded by Certificate of Obligation Bonds and the Capital Spending Plan, the $18.2 million improvement project renovations will result in the upgrade of 20 fields at Old Settlers Park and construction of five new fields.

Project highlights include lit batting cages, enhanced spectator seating, championship fields with a warming track and bull pen, additional playgrounds and tailgate islands at the park.

Developments are underway. Shade structures and bleachers are installed at the Southwest and Northwest Complex, fencing has been moved back in the Northeast Complex, lights are up and grading is complete for the new Girls Softball complex and the concrete is poured for the concession and restroom facility at the softball complex with progress occuring daily.

For more information on the Sports Complex Improvements visit www.roundrocktexas.gov or call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 512-218-5540.

Time to vote - Board Elections The Round Rock Baseball League

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:18:00 GMT

It's time for elections, and both OSE and RRYB are bringing the voting to you! At your closing ceremony, held at the ball fields, you'll be able to cast your ballot.

RRYB Closing Ceremonies date has changed to Monday, May 19 due to rain cancellations.

OSE Closing Ceremonies will be on Friday, May 30 at 6:30 pm with elections open from 7 pm - 9 pm.

If you have any questions, please call Rusty Charleton at 658-5887.

Applicants:
Phillip Bailey
Brian Birdsell
Naomi Esquivel
Roberta Garcia
Jeff Himmelright
Gail Johansen
Elsa Orozco
Gregory Parker
Fred Ramirez
Carolyn Ramos
Joe Ramos
Bobby Sieferman
Daniel Spells
Jule Vasquez-Martinez
Mike Whelan
Heath Wooley
Kelly Wooley

Groundbreaking 2007

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Pictures from the groundbreaking of the Sports Capital Improvement Project are on the City's Flickr page! You can find pictures of all types of events and happenings http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofroundrock/sets/

Groundbreaking for Sports Complex Improvement Project Jan 25

Terri Waggoner — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Join the City of Round Rock, Mayor Nyle Maxwell and the sports community as we celebrate the Groundbreaking for the Sports Complex Improvement Project on January 25 from 4 pm - 5 pm at the North East Complex.

Athletes are encouraged to come and help us as we break ground on this project which includes many renovations to our current ball fields and a softball complex.

Project Highlights
4 lit batting cages at each complex
Drainage detention pond to help with runoff
Championship field – warming track, terraced bleachers, bull pen (all but SE complex)
Playgrounds
"Tailgate Islands"

As previously promised, here is the current timeline for the sports complex improvements. Since it is a phased construction schedule, different parts of the complex will re-open at different times.

In mid-January – start Girls Softball Complex which will open in Fall of 2008.
NW and SW complex close in January 2008 to be complete June 2008.
Everything is open from June –Sept to cover summer tournaments and play.
Sept 2008-Feb 2009 the SE complex closes.

Please see the map below for further clarification.

For more information, call Round Rock Parks and Recreation at 218-5540.

Baseball registration, league name contest and ballfield improvement update

Terri Waggoner — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:34:00 GMT

The team of representatives and board members from each baseball league has been working diligently with Barry Silverberg to get the final legal details of non-profit status together. While the new organization is not complete, we realize its time to start registering for spring baseball!

To simplify the spring registration process, parents interested in registering their children for baseball will go ahead and register with Round Rock Youth Baseball, Sam Bass Baseball or Old Settlers Express Baseball as done in the past. Please contact your league directly to get early registration information. The new unified league, which has yet to be officially named, will take registrations in the summer and fall.

We need a NAME!
We keep calling this new league we’re forming the “unified league” or “new league we’re forming.” It needs a name! The current leagues have pitched in to create a $100 cash prize for a league naming contest.

How it works: Submit your league name idea as a comment to this blog post. When you register for the blog, we’ll have your name and contact information, therefore if your league name is selected we can contact you and give you the $100 prize. The contest runs from today through 5 pm December 21.

The current group of team representatives and board members that have been working on the unified organization process will select the winning league name at a meeting in January. In the event that two people submit the exact same winning name, the first person to submit the idea to the blog post will receive the $100 prize. This contest is open to participants of all ages, so put your thinking caps on and let’s come up with a great league name!

Ballfield Improvement Update
At the November 21 City Council meeting Chasco was awarded the contract for Part A of the construction project. This includes all the water line, sewage and parking lots. Construction is to begin approximately January 1. The city is in the final negotiations on the contract for Part B which is the beginning of the field renovations and girls softball complex upgrades. The city hopes to announce the final construction schedule soon. This project is going to make our ballfield complex one of the premier facilities in Texas! We’ll keep you updated on developments.