Members of the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Board are pooling their resources to try to scrape together the $300,000 needed to update Schoenbaum Stadium.
As the state and county deal with budget deficits, the funding sources the parks board was relying on have somewhat dried up.
"I'm working several angles," said Allen Tackett, chairman of the board.
Tackett is looking for some kind of funding from the Kanawha County Commission and the state, but understands that both of their budgets are tight.
So now the board is reaching out to those who use the field the most. Tackett asked for $150,000 from the University of Charleston, whose soccer team plays at the stadium. He is also going to ask Monsignor Edward Sadie, the rector of the Co-Cathedral of Sacred Heart, which oversees Charleston Catholic High School, for some funds.
Since many local high schools use the field, board members also were considering asking for money from the Kanawha County school board.
Currently, Parks and Recreation charges a fee for the schools that use the stadium, but parks director Jeff Hutchinson said that amount was low.
"The fees that they're charged, it pays for the lights," he said. "It's a community field."
The Coonskin Foundation is also moving forward with its plan to put a roof over the driving range.
A putting green also will be added near the driving range, right next to a sand trap so golfers can practice their shots from the bunker.
There have been prior problems with people breaking into the clubhouse at the driving range. While there hasn't been much money stolen, the vandalism from the break-ins has created damage. In order to prevent future incidents, the Coonskin Foundation is looking into installing a security camera.
The Lights of Coonskin display took in a total of $26,000 this year. After donations and paying the bills, Parks and Recreation was left with $11,000.
The YMCA of Kanawha Valley operated the pool at Coonskin Park last summer and Parks and Recreation is hoping to discuss how the relationship can be improved this summer. The YMCA plans to expand its use of the park this summer, and will offer a tennis program, a kids' golf program and hiking.
Belle Mayor Buck Chestnut was curious if Coonskin Park would have any activities with the impending snowfall. While people can cross-country ski in the park, the no organized activities are planned.
Hutchinson is not encouraging sledding in the park, but added that he doesn't "get out there like the sled police."
Reach Daniel Desrochers at dan.desrochers@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4886 or follow @drdesrochers on Twitter.
