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--> --> Organizations to be able to charge for games at local ballpark By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings With North Mountain Park being the main sports complex in Ashland, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission approved a policy to charge admission fees for some sporting events held at the park. "This really came into play because the (baseball and softball) high school state playoffs are forced to charge admission," commissioner Sally Jones said. "And sometimes Babe Ruth is obligated to make costs." The policy allows spectators to be charged at district, regional or state competitions hosted by the Ashland School District or by a group of community organizations approved by the commission. Those groups include Ashland Little League, Mt. Ashland Babe Ruth, American Legion Baseball, Ashland Soccer Club and ASA Softball. Some of the organizations can now use the fields for fundraising, if it's approved by the Parks and Recreation office. "This is something that had to happen now," Jones said. "Especially with less and less state funding and less of a tax base for parks. Everyone needs funding." The passing of the policy also pushes forward some of the goals set for the North Mountain Park. "Before I was on the commission, in the early stages of the plan, one of the goals was to have a big sports complex in Ashland that was capable of hosting big events," Jones said. "To host the big events, sometimes we have to charge admission." According to Jones, allowing for some events to charge admission opens up the commission to other organizations. "The Ballet in the Park needs money too," Jones said. "Last year they got turned down in a request. That's something we'll have to revisit." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing