The city of East Ridge wants to take title to ball fields at East Ridge High School, and is pledging to make substantial upgrades to them.
The County School Board voted Thursday night to allow attorney Scott Bennett to begin talks with East Ridge over the transfer. Tiffanie Robinson cast the only no vote.
Board member David Testerman of East Ridge said he favored the move, saying it was an opportunity to improve the fields for use by both the school and the community.
Stump Martin, East Ridge recreation director, said his staff already works closely with the high school and a city employee already helps keep up the fields.
The East Ridge High football stadium stands had to be condemned before being taken down. Mr. Martin said the other fields are run down. He said the tennis courts are in bad shape and the soccer field is unplayable. He said it might take six months of work to get it back in shape. Mr. Testerman said the track has not been in use for at least 15 years.
Mr. Martin said the plan is to upgrade the baseball field so it will be the quality of the one at Hixson High School.
He said the girls softball field will also be upgraded, along with the tennis courts, soccer field and track.
He said the development of the East Ridge High athletic complex would give a new recreation area in the center of the city, noting that one had been planned at the old city swimming pool site, but that wound up as a Neighborhood Walmart..
Mr. Martin said East Ridge High teams would continue to get first choice at use of the fields, but he said at times they might be used by other schools.
A full-time city employee would be assigned to the complex.
Scott Miller, East Ridge city manager, said if the city had title to the fields it could more easily obtain grants for the improvements.
He said East Ridge is criticized for having Camp Jordan in one edge of the city, but nothing else in the way of recreation.
Mr. Martin said the East Ridge City Council has not yet voted on the idea.
Justin Witt of the county schools said the proposal presented to the board was more sweeping than one he had heard before.
He said the property involved was 10 to 15 acres. He said he did not know its value.