Dryden Park in Kearney (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The City of Kearney and the University of Nebraska at Kearney approved an agreement for improvements that are a part of the Dryden Park ballfield project.
The Kearney city council reviewed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) during their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10. UNK Administration had previously approved the agreement.
As per the agreement, “The facility will be owned and operated by the City, with UNK contributing funds for physical facility improvements. Facility improvements include enlarged dugouts, a new scoreboard, new dirt infield blend, fencing enhancements, bullpen improvements, and a new press box,” per a memo to the city council.
Construction began last fall and should be wrapped by late spring.
Some key parts of the agreement include:
- UNK will contribute $250,000 in funding towards project.
- The City will handle branding/sponsorships for the Dryden Park Softball Field.
- UNK improvements will remain the property of the City and will be insured by the City.
- Any future upgrades required by the MIAA Conference or NCAA will be funded solely by UNK. Other upgrades requested by UNK will be negotiated between the parties.
- An initial 20-year term with additional five-year terms with mutual written agreement of parties.
Dryden Park is located at 601 E 31st St. in Kearney.
The agreement was part of the consent agenda and was approved by the council along with three other items.
