State grant will help fund improvements at south Aberdeen Little League field

By Dan Hammock • May 11, 2021 4:55 pm
DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.
DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.

Failor Field, the Little League baseball field at Pioneer Park in South Aberdeen, will get a makeover next winter — thanks in part to a $262,000 state grant approved in this year’s state capital budget.

“This is a partnership project between the City of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Little League to replace the existing restroom building (from the 1970s) and replace the outfield fencing (from the mid-1980s),” said Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Director Stacie Barnum.

The existing restroom is not ADA compliant and not large enough to accommodate large events, said Barnum.

“We hope to purchase a prefabricated concrete building, similar to the ones in our park system,” for the restroom, said Barnum. “The new building would be ADA accessible and have more restroom stalls.”

Current plans call for replacing the aging 4-foot cyclone outfield fencing with a new 6-foot cyclone fence.

“This would improve safety for those using the field, and allow Little League to host higher level championship tournaments,” said Barnum. “The current outfield fencing does not meet minimum standards by Little League National for hosting upper level championship play.”

The City Parks Department applied for a Washington State Recreation Conservation Office “Youth Athletics” grant for the 2021 funding cycle, and it was approved in the 2021 state capital budget, currently awaiting the governor’s signature. The city also received $20,000 from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation, and will provide about $6,000 in in-kind labor. Barnum said Aberdeen Little League will raise the remaining amount through grants and fundraising.

“We should find out officially of our award in June,” said Barnum. “We hope to break ground this winter and have the project completed by next spring or summer.”

DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.

DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.

DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.

DAN HAMMOCK / THE DAILY WORLD Failor Field, the Little League ballpark in south Aberdeen, will get a new, taller fence and a new ADA bathroom thanks in part to a $260,000 state grant.