Softball group gets money for field renovations

Havre City Council voted unanimously to give the Havre Softball Association the $77,356 it needs to make major repairs to its facilities south of the city.

The money will come from the city’s $128,000 CTEP grant.

Council’s action was met with cheers from the audience at Monday night’s council meeting. Several association members were on hand for the vote.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Mayor Tim Solomon told the supporters.

The money will pay for a variety of renovations, including making the area handicap accessible. Association members hope the improvements will make the facilities more attractive for tournaments, including state tournaments.

The city funds will be added to about $18,000 in association funds, it was explained.

Hill County will receive the remaining $50,000 of the CTEP funds for terracotta repairs to the Hill County Courthouse.

The county had hoped for $100,000 to add to the money it is contributing. All of the county’s CTEP money will go to the building repairs as well as some county funds.

County officials said the terracotta is in need of repairs quickly.

Council’s action Monday mirrors the recommendation made by the Streets and Sidewalks Committee.

In other business Monday night:

• Council approved a request from Independence Bank to close off 3rd Street from 5th Avenue to the bank’s drive-up exit 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Friday, July 26.

The bank is celebrating its 40th anniversary and plans a barbecue for as many as 1,000 people. Tables and chairs will be set up on the street.

• Council also okayed closing off 4th Avenue from 3rd to 4th streets for the annual Lil Shots program.

The Lil Shots program encourages parents to take their young ones for immunizations, and the children can play games, do art projects or run an obstacle course.