The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority appointed Robin Fitzpatrick as treasurer and James Phelps as secretary Monday while honoring two longtime park employees and recognizing volunteers who helped improve the amphitheater.
The board’s appointments shift Fitzpatrick, who had been serving as secretary, into the treasurer’s position. Phelps, a board member, will succeed her as secretary.
The authority thanked Leon Pisano and Jeff Gastley, who are leaving after 11 and 22 years of service, respectively. Board members praised their maintenance work and contributions to improvements throughout the park.
The board also recognized Jim, Kathy and Ryan Kunkel and Krauss Electric for donated labor and materials used to upgrade the amphitheater’s electrical system. Officials valued the contribution at more than $4,000 and said the previous system had presented safety concerns.
The authority also heard an ambitious proposal to redevelop portions of the Gettysburg rec park with synthetic-turf fields capable of hosting regional youth sports tournaments.
Ryan Henry, founder of the nonprofit American Dream Athletics, said the project could expand access to affordable youth sports while attracting visiting teams and generating revenue for the park and surrounding businesses.
Henry said youth sports have increasingly shifted from community recreation leagues to expensive travel programs. His organization hopes to bring tournaments to Gettysburg, reducing travel for local families while drawing athletes and spectators from elsewhere.
“We’re not here to overtake Gettysburg Rec,” Henry said. “We’re here to help you build on it.”
The preliminary concept could include additional baseball and softball diamonds, multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, and improvements to the existing football field. Henry said the park’s current land, lighting and other infrastructure could make it less expensive to develop than an entirely new complex.
Synthetic fields could cost approximately $700,000 to $1 million each, Henry said, while a larger complex could require an investment of $5 million to $10 million, depending on its size and amenities.
American Dream Athletics would pursue business sponsorships, grants, donations and possible support from tourism organizations. Henry argued that tournaments would benefit hotels, restaurants and other Gettysburg-area businesses.
Authority members expressed interest but raised questions about player safety, insurance, funding and the effect of additional fields on the park’s walking trails, dog park and other community uses.
Henry said any plan could be tailored to protect those uses and would not necessarily include all the fields envisioned in the initial concept. No formal agreement was approved. Authority members said they would review the organization’s information and continue discussing the proposal.
The authority also addressed immediate financial pressures. Executive Director Al Moyer reported approximately $6,400 in the authority’s operating account and about $45,832 in a certificate of deposit. He described the shortage of operating cash as a self-imposed challenge because the authority is determined to avoid drawing from the CD.
Moyer said he and employee Dick Andrew had offered to delay compensation until an expected contribution from Cumberland Township arrives. The township recently approved the funding, but authority members said they had not received a firm delivery date.
Members agreed to explore whether another accounting firm could provide more affordable assistance than the authority’s current provider, SEK. They discussed contacting local firms and potentially seeking competitive proposals.
Moyer said the authority intends to continue pursuing grants for a park master plan. Members also voiced support for Gettysburg Community Theatre, which plans to present a free production of “Romeo and Juliet” at the amphitheater during the week of Sept. 6.
The authority’s next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 28, an hour earlier than its usual meeting time.
Featured image caption: GARA recognized and thanked two long-term employees Mr. Jeff Gastley and Mr. Leon Pisano for their efforts over the past many years to keep our park well maintained. Both gentlemen handled mowing, tree trimming, and many other maintenance duties during their tenure. Both were awarded gift certificates to enjoy at our local Dobbin House. We wish them the very best in all future endeavors.
