EAST PROVIDENCE — Raised for a second consecutive meeting by At-Large member Bob Rodericks at the April 3 City Council gathering, the current condition of the Pierce Memorial Field complex and its future requirements remain a topic of interest for the body.
“I think we’re making progress,” Mr. Rodericks said, referencing a recent on-site visit he made to the facility with Mayor Bob DaSilva. “We did see a lot of improvements.”
Among the upgrades already completed have been the installation of a new scoreboard in the stadium, the old one having been blown down during a storm in late 2017, and a new public address system.
The bathrooms inside the stadium and at the baseball field have or are about to be completed. Pierce grounds supervisor Tony Vieira noted new stainless steel fixtures have been installed along with LED lighting and walls have been painted. Replacement flooring is almost done. What remains is dependent on warmer weather.
Handicap accessibility upgrades for both the stadium seating and bathrooms are in the design process. Mr. Vieira said a new way will be made behind the east stands, those closest to the baseball field, and the one on the east side, under the press box, will be upgraded and remade.
A new flag pole and lighting for it inside the stadium, an aspect that has long been a concern of some veterans in the city, have been installed. The flag will be properly lighted at night beginning later this spring, Mr. Vieira said.
The repair and/or removal of concrete walls inside the stadium are also in the process of being completed. Pierce staff will power wash and repaint the interior wall on the perimeter of the walking track while Department of Public Works personnel will assist in removing walls deemed unnecessary or beyond repair. Mr. Vieira said access and improving flows of foot traffic are among the reasons why some walls will be taken down.
At the baseball diamond, Mr. Vieira said the field will soon be surrounded by new fencing. The backstop will be raised significantly to 28 feet high to help lessen the number of foul balls escaping into the parking lot. New portable dugout seating, which will also be used for benches on the basketball courts, will soon be purchased and the dugouts themselves will be repaired and repainted.
“Slowly, but surely things, we’re getting things done,” Mr. Vieira noted.
One major component not yet in the mix for replacement is the baseball field scoreboard. Mr. Vieira said though the operational system used to control the scoreboard is “antiquated,” at the moment it still works and is functionable, but remains an immediate concern.
Another worry, according to Mr. Rodericks, is that of security at and around the facility. He noted in his remarks last week the adjacent Townie Pride Park/Jones Pond had been vandalized in the days prior to the meeting. Pierce no longer has manned security and surveillance cameras have yet to be bought and/or installed.
“My concern is some money allocated for security, but we haven’t brought it in yet,” Mr. Rodericks said.
“I don’t like the idea of a multi-million dollar complex, that we’ve always been so proud of in this city, and letting is sit there unsupervised. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” Mr. Rodericks added.
The At-Large member stressed it was imperative to increase oversight of the complex, requesting continued cooperation between the council and the staff of Mayor DaSilva to planned upgrades be implemented.
“It’s starting to look great again, so we’re on the move,” Mr. Rodericks said, adding later, “This is a piece of history here, and it’s absolutely gorgeous and we have to keep it that way.”
Licenses
The council gave approval to a series of licenses to the new owners of Metacomet Country Club in city to maintain current food and beverage privileges. The club was recently purchased by a group including local PGA Tour professional Brad Faxon, taking it from a non-profit, member-owned operation to a private, for-profit enterprise.
Appointments
In addition, the body approved the following appointments: Christopher S. LaRoux, 2 Spinnaker Drive, East Providence Public Library Trustees, a term ending on April 2, 2022, proposed by Councilman Ricardo Mourato; and Jennifer Griffith, 65 Plymouth Road, East Providence Waterfront District Commission, for a term through April 2, 2023, proposed by Councilman Nate Cahoon. Of note, at the request of the nominee, Michael Motta, removed his name from consideration to the position of assistant Harbormaster/Pumpout Boat Operator. He was proposed by Councilman Britto.
Ms. Griffith, a native of East Providence, is an attorney and The Child Advocate for the State of Rhode Island, having been appointed to that position by Gov. Gina Raimondo in 2016.
“I think Jennifer will be the first voting female member of the Waterfront Commission,” Mr. Cahoon noted of Ms. Griffith’s appointment. “And I think that is important for us to keep in mind that these commissions set the tone for our entire community. They really should reflect the demographic and the perspective of our community. So, I think it behooves all of us to put some consideration into who’s going on these commissions and these boards. And specifically making sure they’re representative of the folks they’re working for.”
Added Mr. Rodericks about Ms. Griffith, also an alumnae of East Providence High School, “No one better that I can think of. Jen is well respected state wide and beyond Rhode Island. Being a ‘Townie’ just adds to it. And being an attorney is another plus. So this is a great addition to the Waterfront Commission.”