WGLL to debut new fields

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B requesting the field enhancements.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the city entering into a memorandum of understanding for the refurbishments.

“The city of Winter Garden has been welcoming of this project from the start and (has) fully supported our visions for the future of Winter Garden Little League,” Little League President James Mooney said. “We are grateful to the city of Winter Garden who continue to support the Winter Garden Little League and look forward to building on our great relationship as we work toward future goals.”

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Mooney said when the Little League’s new board of directors started Oct. 1, 2022, the league began discussing ways to make Little League a better experience for the kids.

“Our first conversation was about the fields and what we can do to improve them,” Mooney said. “After researching other local fields, other leagues and feedback from parents from our Little League, we concluded that artificial turf and artificial mounds are being used in Central Florida more frequently due to the weather — large amounts of rain seasonally and constant heat — and the lower maintenance.”

After communicating with a few turf companies, the Little League contacted the city of Winter Garden and scheduled a meeting to propose a full infield of turf. Staff supported the proposed enhancements but believed the senior field needed to be included.

The overall quote to enhance all three fields would be $264,000, with the Little League to contribute $90,000 and the city to contribute $174,000.

However, the agreement only allows the league to move forward with converting one field of choice. The league opted to select field one.

“The reason that we feel that it’s better to proceed with one field as opposed to all three is in Winter Garden our soils are much different than you would find at any other place, so

Opening Day Schedule

WHEN: Friday, March 3

WHERE: Winter Garden Little League, 415 S. Park Ave.

SCHEDULE

5:30 to 6 p.m.: Players arrive and parents move to eld 1

6 to 7 p.m.: Players/teams are introduced

7 p.m.: National anthem

7:05 p.m.: Introductions by city o cials and board members

7:15 p.m.: Mayor John Rees throws rst pitch we have a little bit of a concern of how this artificial turf is going to respond from a stormwater perspective,” Williams said. “We do know that artificial turf during the summer time gets significantly hotter.”

If the feedback for the field is positive, then the city will consider the funding of renovations for the other fields when the season is over.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Williams said the fields have been a part of the whole Little League experience for years, and the fields play a very significant role in providing a shared venue for the folks that come out and play baseball.

“We’ve had a great, mutually beneficial relationship with Little League for years, and we just felt like being part of the project would enhance that relationship even more,” Williams said.

The field construction began Feb. 14 and should be completed this week.

“It will be a benefit to the community, as it will allow for better conditions of play for the Little League participants and will require less resources for upkeep,” Mooney said.

“In 2025, Winter Garden Little League will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and collectively, the board of directors are working towards the goal of continual improvement of the entire Little League experience for every child that plays in our league.”

VESTA LEE “PETE” WAGES JR. DIED FEB. 23, 2023.

Our father, Vesta Lee Wages Jr. “Pete,” left this world on Feb. 23, 2023, at the age of 87. He was born Jan. 11, 1936. He was preceded by his parents, Vesta L. Wages Sr. and Maude Wages; and his siblings, Helen Montgomery, Frances “Dede” Zagar and Charles Wages. Survived by his sister, Betty Sue Gassett; his brother-in-law, D. Drayton Gassett; his wife, Patti Wages; his children Robert Wages, Nancy Wages, Vesta Lee Wages III, Daniel Wages; his daughters-in-law, Deborah Wages, Gabriela Wages; and his grandchildren, Gabriela Hatfield, Peter Wages, Julianna Wages, Emma Wages, Nicky Wages, Mary Wages and Daniel Wages Jr.

Pete lived most of his life in Windermere, Florida, retired to Leesburg, Florida, but spent the end of his life in Winter Garden.

Pete was known for the following:

He served in the U.S. Army, retired after 32 years at Continental Can Company, retired again after 10 years from Manheim Auto Auction.

He also managed and owned Wages Mower Sales and Service on Main Street in Windermere, Florida.

He served as a Windermere Town Council Member from 1989-1992.

He was a member of the Windermere Rotary Club and was a Mason. He will be sadly missed and will always hold a place in our hearts. We would love you to come and honor his life. Funeral is Friday, March 3, 2023, at Clermont Baptist Church, 16115 Old Highway 50 West, Clermont, FL 34711. Visitation is at 10:30 a.m. Service is at 11 a.m. with food to follow. Graveside is at 2 p.m. at Lakeside Memory Gardens, 36601 County Road 19A, Eustis, FL 32726.