The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved funding Tuesday for phase two improvements at Shalimar Park, continuing a renovation project that has already drawn praise from the local baseball community.
- Commissioners authorized a $458,725 contract to convert two of the park’s existing fields to artificial turf infields at the facility located at 75 4th Avenue. The item was approved as part of the consent agenda.
The park currently has four existing fields. Phase one of the project includes construction of two new fields with turf infields, which will bring the total to six fields. Phase two will renovate two of the older fields with turf infields, with plans to budget for the remaining two fields next year.
Ed Hartley, President of Shalimar Little League, which leases the fields from the county, spoke during the public comment portion of the Oct. 7 meeting to report on the progress of phase one improvements at the park.
“Phase one of this upgrade over there is looking awesome,” Hartley told commissioners. “They got all the gravel in, they got fencing going in, they got the concrete poured for batting cages.”
Hartley said the improvements have generated positive feedback from the community about the facility’s direction.
- “I’m getting a lot of positive feedback from the community over there [on] the direction the facility’s going and how much nicer it’s going to end up looking,” he said.
Chairman Paul Mixon said the park has become a valuable asset for the county.
Hartley also praised the county’s parks and recreation department for their responsiveness to requests from the league.
“Any requests I make, they’re right on it. Johnny-on-the-spot every time,” he said.
The phase two project will be funded through the Facility and Park Maintenance department budget. The county approved allowing advance payment of up to 25% of the project cost, with additional incremental payments based on work completion as approved by county staff.
