Mitchell parks board approves Exchange Club shade structure and related fence move at Cadwell concession area

The Mitchell parks board voted to approve a shade structure and an associated fence relocation at the Cadwell/Capital Park concession area after a presentation from the Mitchell Exchange Club.

Dan Rof, representing the Mitchell Exchange Club, told the board the club seeks a metal shade structure to protect volunteers who staff the concession stand during the club’s annual fundraiser and other events. "We're coming to the city with zero dollars," Rof said, adding the club plans to work with Palace Builders and contribute volunteer labor while the builder handles framing and other structural work.

The club described the design as a metal roof with open top sections for ventilation above the grilling area, a wide front opening to let smoke exit, and a vertical smoke-block section on the far west side to channel smoke away from the concession line and doors. Rof said poles would be shifted so they do not block doorways and that the roofline is raised to create roughly 10–10½ feet of clearance for service trailers and skid loaders.

Board members asked practical questions about dimensions, trailer clearance and whether the work would affect gate access. Rof said he and city staff walked the site, marked proposed pole locations and plan to move a fence line to provide 20–22 feet of operational space depending on the final placement. He also confirmed the Exchange Club had communicated with baseball groups that use the fields.

The club said it would provide wiring and lighting as part of its construction plan; Rof told the board the project would not ask for city funding and that the club’s goal is to preserve the club’s ability to donate roughly $50,000–$60,000 a year back into the community while keeping construction costs as low as possible.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the structure and to approve removal and rebuilding of the adjacent fence; another board member seconded. The board voted with two members saying “I” and one opposing. The motion carried.

Board members and staff also returned to an earlier topic about damaged fences at youth fields. Members discussed signage to discourage soft-toss and tee-hitting into fences, the availability of rubber-coated fencing at some locations, and the feasibility of replacing fence sections versus longer runs.

The vote authorizes the Exchange Club to proceed with final plans and pricing with Palace Builders; work would begin after the club and builder finalize designs and order materials. The club said it intends to complete frame-level structural work by paid tradespeople and use volunteers for other tasks. No city appropriations were requested during the meeting.

The board set its next meeting for Thursday, May 14 and adjourned.