Park construction leaves Upstate sports league without home base

CHESNEE, S.C. (WSPA) – Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation plan to renovate Bryant Road Park in Chesnee starting this winter, with construction continuing into next Spring.

The construction period overlaps with a youth sports league’s spring sports season meaning it needs to find a new home, or several.

Boiling Springs Youth Sports of District 2 Co-President Danny Rising said that Bryant Road Park needs renovations, and it’ll unfortunately coincide with its spring sports season.

“Parking has been a major concern, restrooms is another major concern and concessions is probably our biggest concern,” said Rising. He added when it rains, the hidden problems become more visible. “It takes longer for the fields to be prepared because there’s no place for the water to drain to.”

In a Facebook post on Monday, Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation gave an update on the timeline to park’s renovations which will include:

• ADA accessible walkways and bathrooms
• 1 additional ball field (makes 6 total ballfields)
• New benches and bleachers
• Paved parking lot
• Higher fencing along first baselines
• Shade structures for spectators
• Additional warm-up space for players
  

As of now, the county is in the final design process and expects to start the bidding process soon according to Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation Marketing Manager Kristen Guilfoos.

“We are currently finalizing a plan that will include a paved parking lot. We’ll also be adding one additional baseball field,” said Guilfoos. “We’ll be putting in new bleachers [and] making a lot of ADA accessible pathways that weren’t there before.”

Guilfoos wanted to emphasize the project with a $5 million budget is focused on renovations more so than additions, but if there is money left, the county plans to add a 1.3-mile pedestrian trail around the baseball field, add a new playground and upgrade the press boxes.

All of the planned renovations are something Boiling Springs’ youth players and parents say are needed.

“I mean [my son] and I, we’re constantly on the baseball field every now and then,” said Danny Rodriguez, who was preparing to help his 9 yr. old son, Jordan, practice baseball. “I can’t help but notice like the concession stand has been falling apart.”

Jordan is signed up for flag football next spring with D2 but plays on a travel baseball team during the off-season. He told 7NEWS he believes the fields need to be “upgraded.”

Jordan’s dad said it’s hard to find open practice fields as it is now.

“We usually have to go to the outfield, and we don’t even get to use the field, and other times we can’t do that we usually end up going back home,” said Danny Rodriguez.

According to Rising, the league doesn’t know where they’ll practice next spring, but he knows to get something better, sometimes you must give up something in return.

“This is probably one of the biggest things that can happen in the community for Boiling Springs and the area that’s growing rapidly,” said Rising.

Rising added that the league’s board is having healthy discussions with Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation officials about where to play next spring. It’s a sentiment that was also shared by Guilfoos.

“North Spartanburg Complex; Holston Creek [Park] would probably be the two prime spots. We might have to feed into Inman, not really sure of any other location,” said Rising.

“We are working closely with our friends at Boiling Springs Youth Sports of District 2 to find alternate field space for spring season athletics,” said the county’s Parks & Rec department on its Facebook page.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.