Co-existence possible at Jim Barnett Park

View larger image Craig Gerhart, standing right, interim Winchester city manager, conducts a brainstorming session with representatives from users of Jim Barnett Park and Bridgeforth Field about possible impact if a minor league baseball team locates there. Dennis Grundman/Daily

Bridgeforth Field users fear losing space, but city officials offer alternative site for minor league stadium

By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Users of Bridgeforth Field fear losing their space if the city builds a baseball stadium in Jim Barnett Park.

City officials on Thursday may have found a way to keep the field in an effort to attract a minor league baseball club to Winchester.

Instead of building the stadium on land occupied by the BMX track and abutting Bridgeforth as proposed, officials showed the facility could fit on the current site of Eagles Field. The option still poses some issues but officials noted it might work.

The first meeting of the user groups of the areas affected by the endeavor attracted more than two dozen people. Representatives from John Handley High School, Winchester Baseball, Winchester Royals, Shenandoah University and Winchester BMX attended the meeting led by city officials.

"I think it's going to affect every user group that's in the park and hopefully they can make it right for everyone, where it's not a negative impact," Scott Wolford, with Winchester Baseball, said after the meeting. "I think where they have it right now is probably the best option."

Interim City Manager Craig Gerhart led the discussion and representatives expressed concerns about the proposed stadium and its impact on user groups.

Winchester Economic Development Authority has sought to acquire 12 acres with the intention of building a baseball stadium. The EDA would own the land and finance the construction of the stadium through bond proceeds of up to $15 million. Revenue collected from the stadium events would repay the debt, officials have said. The EDA plans to ask City Council to take action on the request Feb. 14.

The original idea put the proposed stadium in the northeast corner of the park on top of the current site of the BMX track. Bridgeforth Field would make way for the parking lot needed for the stadium.

Representatives of the baseball and softball teams all expressed worry that their players may lose their space. Wayne Edwards, athletic director for Shenandoah University, remained skeptical about whether a minor league team would allow any other baseball or softball teams to play in its stadium.

Others voiced concerns about whether schedules would even allow up to four teams to play or practice in an afternoon or evening.

As the discussion moved toward the possible solution of putting the stadium on Eagles Field, one person raised the question of where to put the parking.

Jeff Ketron, one of the representatives for Winchester BMX, asked that they put on the record that Winchester BMX supports keeping Bridgeforth Field. The BMX track, again, sits in the crosshairs for the stadium.

Officials and representatives of the user groups agreed to meet again next Thursday at 6 p.m.

The public may ask questions and give comments at an open house scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the social hall of the War Memorial Building in Jim Barnett Park.