Thomas Cloud Park facility to be finished by end of year

Aug. 27--Groundbreaking for a new concession stand and restroom facility at Thomas Cloud Park in Huber Heights is finally set for today -- three years after the original building was destroyed by fire.

The new facility will be built southwest of the previous location and cost more than $300,000 to construct, but it's a project that has had baseball and soccer organizations at odds.

Huber Heights City Council approved in late April two pieces of legislation -- to accept a donation from Brick City Sports Club and award a contract to Bruns General Contracting in the amount of $335,221.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to assistant city manager Scott Falkowski. The groundbreaking is scheduled for 4 p.m. today and the public is invited to attend.

"We're happy to be moving forward," Falkowski said.

Huber Heights collected $185,000 in insurance money, and money from the water ($27,645) and sewer ($16,902) funds also will be used for the project. Brick City's donation was $105,674.

"This means the city and Thomas Cloud Park will be a little nicer place for the citizens of Huber Heights and any kids who participate in sports there," said Chuck Doran, president of Brick City.

The 1,470-square-foot facility will feature a concession stand, restrooms, storage space, a retail area and big-screen TV to display game schedules. A 400-foot emergency access road to the building also will be constructed.

The concession stand/restrooms will be in the center of five baseball diamonds and five soccer fields and can be used by any organization, not just baseball. The five soccer fields are in the outfields of the five baseball diamonds.

Huber Heights officials have said Brick City's donation impacted the decision to build the building at its new location. The new facility will not affect soccer fields, city officials said.

Brick City is a youth baseball and softball organization.

Warrior Soccer Club president Carol Maas declined to comment for this story. She has said the facility should be built at its previous location, which would help "all people who use the park on a regular basis, not just organizations."

Maas said soccer teams are currently practicing at Thomas Cloud Park, and the Warrior Fall Classic is set for the end of October.

Doran said the organization would like to replace the backstops and add dugouts to "make it more user-friendly for baseball and softball players. It's one step at a time."

Any improvements to the baseball/softball fields would have to be approved by the city, said Falkowski, who noted there have not been any discussions or plans submitted to the city.

There are 10 baseball/softball fields and 19 soccer fields at Thomas Cloud Park, which is located at 4707 Brandt Pike and consists of 124 acres.

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