The City of Susanville is moving swiftly to address the aftermath of a fire that completely destroyed the Grandstand at Memorial Park on the morning of July 5th. City officials are prioritizing the rapid restoration of the Frank Ernaga Ballfield, aiming for it to be operational by mid-August.
City Administrative and Engineering staff were on-site immediately following the blaze to assess the damage, and the City’s insurance provider was contacted the same day. A loss claim was officially filed on July 6th to initiate the recovery process.
In a collaborative effort, Lassen Community College and City representatives are working closely to develop a short-term plan for the ballfield. The immediate focus is on critical repairs, including site clean-up, rehabilitation of the backstop (which includes replacing damaged netting), re-establishing electrical service to the facility, and replacing sections of damaged turf.
To expedite these vital repairs, City staff are operating under the emergency provisions of the City’s purchasing ordinance. The ambitious goal is to complete this initial phase of work within 30 days. However, officials caution that potential delays could arise due to the presence of hazardous materials within the debris or extended lead times for necessary materials.
The City of Susanville has pledged to provide regular updates as more information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website at www.cityofsusanville.gov and check the “News & Calendar” section on the front page for the latest developments on the rebuilding efforts.
