Council to consider five-year BHSU field-use extensions; staff seeks continued talks on indoor baseball facility

Rex (parks and recreation) told the council the city has negotiated three amendments — two with Black Hills State University and one with the school district — that would preserve BHSU's existing access for five more years (practices at Ronnie Tice Field and games at the Energy Complex). "We've all come to an agreement that would allow BHSU the use that they currently have for the next 5 years," Rex said; the park board unanimously recommended the amendments for council consideration.

Rex also said staff met productively with the Spearfish Baseball Association and are seeking authorization to continue negotiations on a lease and bid documents for an indoor baseball facility. Staff described next steps as preparing lease drafts and bid documents and returning to council as those documents mature.