By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Top Photo: A proposed new home side grandstand at Stanley-Jensen Stadium
Many more photos of different proposls throughout article and at bottom of article.
The City of Prattville Parks and Recreation Department stood before the city council this past Tuesday night, explaining several major projects that could potentially come to the Prattville area.
The Parks and Recreation’s appearance was part of the city’s four-part work session, which has dated back to April 2021. The purpose of the work sessions is to determine how the money from the city’s 1-cent sales tax should be spent. The council has the option of letting is “sunset” or continuing it with it dedicated to new areas.
Kellie Cook, Director of Parks and Recreation, laid out several key locations that the department believes should receive funding through that taxpayer money.
There are five major overhaul projects that the city would like to see completed as part of the Prattville 2040 plan.
“It’s been identified that existing parks need to be maintained over time, improvements made for ADA accessibility, and in some cases, substantiality renovated or reprogrammed. During the visioning process, community participants indicated desire for enhancing Prattville’s the parks and recreations system, including building on existing sports programs and facilities to create a much stronger sports tourism drop,” Cook said.
The five major projects that Cook included in her presentation were Whetstone Complex, Pratt Park, Upper Kingston Park, Newton Park, and Stanley-Jenson Stadium.
Whetstone Complex
“Our youth baseball program has been a huge success, prompting the need for more fields and parking,” Cook said.
As part of the proposal, the city would add two tee-ball fields, one dixie youth field, and a concessions area and restroom. Also, additional batting cages, improving and expanding parking, and moving the BMX park to the other side of the complex are all individual projects that the city would like see done.
“Our overall proposal for whetstone would address drainage improvements, existing parking area issues, and would include a new press box, concession stand, tee-ball area, and dixie youth baseball field,” Cook said.
Total proposal cost: $3.2 M
Pratt Park
“Our existing area could be improved with modern technology and renovations,” Cook said.
Cook explained that the park currently uses materials that need to be replaced due to deterioration and vandalism.
“The proposed new park would use materials that would require less upkeep and provide a fresh, modern appeal,” Cook said. “This new playground would provide playing platforms for children of all abilities, which we currently do not have.”
Cook explained that the pavilions and seating around the city’s splash pad would be built, and that the current barbeque pit would be demolished to make way for a new restroom facility.
Total proposal cost: $1.3 Million
Upper Kingston Park
“Our goal is to prepare facilities for program growth and to be able to eliminate growth restriction caused by inadequate facilities, parking, and drainage issues,” Cook said.
As part of the proposal, the city would look to add four new soccer fields, add concessions, upgrade the lighting, add fencing around the fields, renovations to the community center, improving and expanding the parking track and adding a new bathroom facility in the area where field five currently exists. Draining issues would also be addressed, and it’s proposed that the current gravel/dirt parking area would be paved and complemented with improved lighting.
Total proposal cost: $3.8 Million
Newton Park
“We now have the opportunity for a true tennis complex. Our goal is to develop a tennis-centric facility. Now that Mac Gray 2.0 is underway, we can remove two softball fields to make way for more courts and address drainage issues,” Cook said.
The proposed plan would add eight new hard courts and four pickleball courts, as well as shade for each court for SPF protection. Additional bathrooms would also be built, and parking and walking trail improvements would be met.
The city is also looking into the idea of building a skate park as well.
Total proposal cost: $2.2 Million
Stanley-Jensen Stadium
“We’re looking for a bright future for an aging facility. Our goal is to develop a state-of-the-art facility that would be done in phases,” Cook said.
The proposal would make the current home side the guest/visitor side and would include a grandstand with a press box and booster box. There would be a proposed viewing platform that includes locker rooms and a multi-purpose banquet room with a capacity of 150 people. There would also be improvements to restrooms, ticket areas, and concessions. The proposal showed a dedicated park area, a new entry plaza, and official locker rooms.
“As a top sports revenue generator in the state, football is a worthy investment with a high chance of return,” Cook said.
Total proposal cost: $10 Million
In all, these five projects alone would cost approximately $20.5 Million
See more proposal graphics below on all projects.
