At a recent Pipestone City Council session, members of the local soccer community voiced a series of grievances concerning the JBS Sportsplex fields, focusing on upkeep, pricing and safety concerns that have persisted despite ongoing municipal efforts.
Maintenance and Cost Concerns
City Administrator Stephanie LaBrune explained that routine mowing and selective spraying are already part of the field maintenance schedule, yet participants remain dissatisfied with the visual quality and the $250 fee required each time the lines are repainted, a cost some residents deem excessive for a community asset.
Facility Use and Naming Rights
The rental agreement for the fields bundles access to a shelter and concession stand, pricing the usage against rates charged for other city park shelters, while signage acknowledging the JBS sponsorship remains pending but is slated for installation in the near future.
Safety and Trash Management
Tylor Soyer, a board member of the soccer club, drew attention to a fire hydrant positioned between two fields that poses a potential hazard, and he also raised concerns about litter accumulation, noting that 81 youngsters participated in the league last season and that enrollment is expected to rise sharply this fall.
City Response and Commitment
Mayor Dan Delaney reaffirmed the administration’s willingness to work closely with the soccer organization, promising a revised fee structure and a facility that meets the standards required for the sport to be recognized as an official school activity, while Public Utilities Director Joel Adelman announced an evaluation of hydrant relocation options and Public Works Director Mike Bloemendaal committed to coordinating regular maintenance communications with Soyer and the club.