Young Men United denied Rocket Park lease for $1

The organization Young Men United will not get exclusive use of Rocket Ball Field. The city, for a second time since 1999, has rejected the request.

The decision was made because of federal grant money that was handed down by the state. The grant was a land and water conservation grant obtained by the city and used for area ball fields.

?With all federal money there are strings,? said city administrator David Rutherford. ?There is a prohibition against providing exclusivity for the use of that site. It has to be used for the general public.?

If the city were to enter into the requested agreement with YMU, or any other organization regarding exclusivity, the city would then have to have an appraisal of the area to get the market value.

Once that is obtained, the city would then have to purchase another facility in that value range.

Instead, the city could agree to give YMU priority use of the field, but not exclusive use. While allowing the group first choice of when they would like to use the ball field, the area would still be open to the public.

?I think this would suit their needs and still keep us legal,? said Rutherford. ?All it would take is a schedule and some planning to give them the scheduling they would like at the times they would want.?

The request was made two weeks ago by Wayne Wolford, spokesman for YMU, and would have allowed exclusive use for 50 years for the cost of $1. In return, the organization agreed to maintain the area, pay the insurance, and allow community use, among other things.

Because the requested agreement isn?t possible, Rutherford will be working closely with Parks and Recreation and YMU regarding a first choice arrangement.