By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ripon OKs 5-year lease for Mistlin
Placeholder Image

The City of Ripon and TPR Baseball agreed last Tuesday to re-up the lease agreement for the Mistlin Sports Park.

This one is for five years of TPR leasing the softball and baseball fields, in turn, bringing high-level competition in both league play and weekend tournaments.  The lease for the four softball fields and two baseball fields is $15,000 per month coupled with $2,000 reduction on December, January and February.

“Those are the slow months,” Recreation Director Kye Stevens said of the reason for the reduced winter rates.

 In the agreement, the “fields” do not include parking areas, water tower, amphitheater or the City’s maintenance shed.

The agreement does consist of a combination lease on services for the operation of the concession stand and batting cages, according to Stevens.

In addition, the City reserves the right to use Mistlin at no cost for the following events:

uAlmond Blossom Festival usually scheduled Wednesday through Sunday of the last week of February.

uColor the Skies balloon and kite festival held that Thursday through Sunday of the Labor Day weekend.

uFree family movies at the Amphitheater on most Friday evenings from May through August. The City will give TPR advance notice on additional plans to use the Amphitheater.

uCity recreation leagues that include T-ball, softball, and baseball in May and June.

 Under the terms, TPR is in charge of maintenance, including any necessary repairs or damages caused by a third party.

Councilman Leo Zuber had concerns on insurance. TPR is the primary coverage holder while the City has the supplemental coverage.

He indicated that that part is not clear in the agreement.

“If something wrong goes wrong there you can bet that both are going to be sued,” Zuber said. “I just don’t want an argument from the two parties.”

Council approved the lease agreement with the caveat that insurance part is clear to both the City and TPR.