Wind Takes Down First Base Grandstand at Paul Smith Field

Thursday night's high winds took down the grandstand over the first base bleachers at Paul Smith Field at Community Park.

Effingham Park District Director Jeff Althoff said he was phoned about the damage by city police officer Keith Whitten while he was on routine patrol through the park about 11:30pm.  The winds pushed the grandstand backwards and it appears the bolts popped holding down the plates that held the girders supporting the grandstand.  The grandstand then fell backwards landing behind and on the bleachers.

(A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE TO THE FIRST BASE GRANDSTAND AT PAUL SMITH FIELD)

Althoff said as soon as the insurance adjusters inspect the damage, they'll get started with cleaning up the mess.  He was thankful that, if it had to happen, it happened at this time of year with baseball season still several months off.