Municipalities cannot protect against sports injuries, but the Union Township Board of Supervisors said July 20 that it will review liability issues related to improvements at its three sports fields.
Board Chairman Donald E. Basile said the township needs to ensure that the installation of dugouts and concession stands at the Union Township Recreation Area, Route 724, are engineered correctly.
Engineering and permitting can be expensive, said Basile, adding that the cost would “be an impediment to their use.”
Township Manager Michelle Kehoe said the baseball fields are currently used by the Daniel Boone Coach’s Association and Blazer Youth Sports (BYS).
Blazer Midget Football uses the one, multipurpose field.
The two older ball fields are not currently usable.
“At what length does the township want to go to ensure a permit to ensure safety?” asked Basile.
Township Engineer Thomas Unger said Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) requires permits for the construction of all structures, including dugouts and concession stands.
The UCC ensures that all structures meet accessibility requirements as well as all building codes of fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, urban wildlife interface, residential, and energy conservation.
Basile said the board will determine the status of any dugout plans that were submitted by the Parks & Recreation Board.
The board said it also needs to determine an appropriate and affordable irrigation system for the fields, a $250,000 township expense.
Board members will meet with Parks & Recreation and the Municipal Sewer/Water Authority to formulate a water license agreement.
The board unanimously approved to remove James Marasco from the township’s emergency management coordinator position.
Deputy Coordinator Robert Erb was unanimously approved as the new coordinator.
