Hooray! After 15 years of saving a portion of whatever money we raised, we are on our way to a Soroptimist signature project with longterm community benefits.

Last year we were presented with two proposals brought to us by the major project committee for club consideration. As a club, we selected the reconstruction of a softball field that we could design specifically for girls softball which will give girls parity in facilities, a sense of importance and encouragement to work toward professional sports. The improvements will help propel South Lake Tahoe toward compliance with Title IX and will be designed with the amenities needed to attract and host tournaments where entrance fees can be collected. Phase I of this project will reconstruct the beat up field on Lake Tahoe Unified School District property at South Tahoe Middle School and will include parking, handicap access, resurfacing the infield, improving the outfield, new dugouts, a warm up area, a new scoreboard, bleachers and fencing. Future phases include restrooms, a snack shack, a score shack and storage shed.

The executive softball committee sent RFPs to 3 planning firms with local experience. All 3 responded and the design subcommittee met, discussed the 3 and selected two from which they agreed to seek additional information before the Executive Committee made a presentation to the Board and Club. All 3 bids exceeded our estimate.

The design subcommittee and the executive committee spent significant time evaluating the two top bids. The executive committee made a recommendation to the board to select Design Workshop and it was brought to the club for club discussion and a final decision. The discussion on January 8 was respectfully deliberated. Design Workshop and their bid of $41,300 was ultimately chosen by a majority vote of those present at the business meeting.

SISLT will negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with LTUSD to set forth a written agreement pertaining to “Soroptimist Stadium – Home of Girls Softball” to assure we are all on the same page.
It is anticipated that planning and construction will occur this year! Stay tuned to how you can participate in this very exciting project!

The Publicity Committee