BY IRENE LABOMBARDE

With the arrival of Bedford High School sports teams, field time may be at a premium. The school district plans to build three fields – for baseball, soccer and practice – on land it currently owns along Liberty Hill and County roads.

The fields would accommodate town sports leagues and school teams.

Jerry Gagne of Meridian Land Services presented the proposal to the public at the July 16 Planning Board meeting.

The project does not require the board’s approval because it is district-owned, according to state statute. Gagne said some  property improvements would be paid for by donations from the Babe Ruth baseball league.

Phase one includes creating the field, which will extend 365 feet to centerfield and 330 feet for right and left fields.

There will be dugouts, an equipment storage shed and a slab to accommodate a future press booth behind home plate.

Pine trees would be planted along the outfield fence to reduce visibility and contain errant baseballs.

Phase two will create a 150-car parking lot at the SAU building on County Road. Superintendent Tim Mayes said people using the practice fields at McKelvie currently park along County Road, and having a larger lot would address that problem and provide parking for additional traffic for the baseball field. The SAU parking lot currently has 33 spaces, which, Mayes said, is insufficient at busy times. School buses transporting teams to the site would park in the new lot.

Resident Paul Tardiff said his concern is field lighting and speakers. Gagne said the lights would be downcast, not like lights at Riley Field. Dave Costa, Babe Ruth league coordinator, said late games would not be announced.

“If we don’t get it built in a reasonable time, we won’t have a Babe Ruth league next year,” said Costa.