Park Board Continuing to Seek Damages from Incident at Paul Smith Field

Effingham Park Board President David McDevitt said the Park District continues to pursue damages for expenses incurred when making repairs at Paul Smith Field at Community Park.

A portion of the structure behind home plate at the ballpark collapsed on a windy day.  McDevitt said the Park District has spent in excess of $80,000 repairing the resulting damage.  He said the District's attorneys Tony Siemer and Ron Fuhr are pursuing enforcement of the performance bond posted when the project was awarded. 

McDevitt said, "Our insurance company had an engineer investigate the collapse who indicated it was the result of faulty design and faulty workmanship."

In action at their monthly meeting, Park Board commissioners reappointed McDevitt as board president and Dennis Carie as vice-president.  Carie was sworn in to a new term on the board and Chris Huelsbusch was sworn in to his first term.  Huelsbusch succeeds Dr. Mike Sehy, who did not seek re-election.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff reported that participant numbers are strong for this summer's program schedule, already close to last year's total participation levels.