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Paola American Legion officials plan to upgrade the deteriorating lighting at Russell Field in Wallace Park, and they’re turning to the city and Paola USD 368 for help.

Legion baseball chairman Jeff Johnson met with fellow Legion representatives Gene Kramer, Jim Johnson and Pete Bell last week to review the current project.

The lighting problem became overwhelmingly apparent during a baseball tournament Paola hosted in July in which there were more lights not working than those that were along the third base side of the field during night games, Jeff Johnson said.

Legion officials originally thought the problem could be fixed by simply replacing some bulbs, but further inspection this fall has brought safety problems to the surface, such as rotting wood at the tops of the poles and the cross supports.

Kansas City Power & Light has stepped forward and offered four new 90-foot wooden poles and two transformers, plus the labor to install them. Jeff Johnson estimated the value of the donations at more than $30,000.

But infrastructure upgrades and a new lighting system still leave about $40,000 needed to complete the lighting project.

Not wanting to lose the free help from KCP&L and being under a time crunch with Paola High School baseball starting in April 2009, Legion officials decided to begin the project and allow KCP&L to remove the existing lights.

Now, legion officials are turning to the city and Paola USD 368 to help complete the project. The field currently is used by the Babe Ruth League, American Legion and Paola USD 368, Jeff Johnson said.

Legion officials said they plan to go before the Paola City Council and the Paola USD 368 school board soon to seek financial assistance. The city of Paola currently pays for utilities at the field, and the school district provides $2,500 annually for maintenance. The Babe Ruth League also provides $2,000 each year for maintenance, Jeff Johnson said.

But the Legion typically picks up the rest, according to Legion officials, and that bill can be substantial when larger projects such as the lights arise.

Obtaining money from the school district may not be easy. Superintendent Rod Allen said Monday the district is dealing with budget constraints that could become even more serious, depending on what happens in the state legislative session that begins next month. He also said the district needs to think of each sport, not just baseball.

Earlier this year, the Legion worked with Paola USD 368 to obtain a $5,000 grant from the Kansas City Royals with another $5,000 in matching funds from the community to improve the infield at the field, but those funds are now gone, Legion officials said.

Much of the maintenance at the field is provided for free throughout the year by PHS baseball coach Paul Brack and Jody Garrison, president of Paola Little League and Babe Ruth League.

Jeff Johnson said the lights are the top priority, but the Legion would also like to improve the outfield fence, bleachers. restroom and concession facilities.

Representatives of the Paola Girls Softball Association attended last week’s Paola City Council meeting to discuss their desire to improve the restrooms near the fields at Wallace Park, but those renovations may be difficult to pursue because much of the park is located in a flood plain.

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