Dakota County news briefs: Burnsville baseball fields in line for major makeover

Burnsville will undertake the renovation of the Lac Lavon Ball Field Complex this summer at a cost of $1.4 million.

The ball field complex at 15501 Lac Lavon Drive was built in 1982.

After 30 years of games and tournaments, the field surfaces, fencing, scoreboards, pedestrian lighting system and irrigation system must be replaced, according to a staff memo.

To provide handicapped-accessible bathrooms, the complex building will have to be renovated or possibly replaced.

The city said the renovations will be done with an emphasis on improving spectator safety and the sustainability of the site.

Nineteen people were appointed by the Dakota County Board to a new committee to review plans for future use and development of Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Commissioners set up the committee to provide more public input into the planning after vocal public opposition to plans by the county to build a paved trail through the park.

Those appointed are: Leo Reid of Randolph; Dawn Lanning of Hastings; Ben VanGundy, Jeff Little and Jeff Milbauer of Apple Valley; Tim Wegner of Rosemount; Rob Strange of Inver Grove Heights; Steve Yaeger, Lisa McGinn, Tom Stirratt, Monica Foss, Holly Jenkins, Wayne Sames and John VonDeLinde of Eagan; Don Matthys and Michael Hughes of Burnsville, and Todd Kemery and Bob Swan of Lakeville.

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognized several people for their contributions to the health of their communities.

Laura Sweere and Natalie Hamley, students at Lakeville North High School; Joe McCarthy, physical education teacher at Meadowview Elementary School in Farmington; and "A Healthier Hastings 4 All" community collaborative sponsored by Regina Medical Center were recognized for their efforts to build and sustain healthy families and communities in Dakota County.

Sweere, a sophomore, and Hamley, a junior, were recognized for training fourth-grade students throughout the county to manage peer pressure and avoid alcohol and tobacco.

McCarthy has developed and implemented award-winning programs at Meadowview Elementary that increase student achievement, reduce obesity and increase positive student behavior. He has successfully engaged parents to participate with their kids in fitness activities through family events that encourage physical activity.

The new systems will be identical and will replace systems purchased in 2000 and 2001.

The city of Burnsville will pay Schad Tracy Signs $62,224 to install five exterior signs on the Burnsville Performing Arts Center to change its name to the Ames Center.

Ames Construction of Burnsville has signed a 10-year, $100,000 naming-rights deal. Ames is a contractor known for work on major road and industrial projects. The company was founded in Burnsville in 1963.

Under the agreement between Ames and the city, the Ames name will remain on the building after the 10 years of payments have ended.

Lakeville will observe Earth Day on April 26 with two events for residents.

An Earth Day celebration and education event also will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Central Maintenance Facility at 7570 W. 179th St. The family-friendly event will feature education stations from a variety of environmental organizations. There also will be games and prizes.

For more information, call 952-985-4500.

Apple Valley plans to purchase a new floating pier for Cobblestone Lake.

Marine Dock and Lift of Center City, Minn., submitted the only bid to do the work at a cost of $48,332.

Curly leaf pondweed in Apple Valley's Farquar Lake will be harvested this summer over about 16 acres of the lake.

Shoreline property owners will have the option of hiring the company on their own to cut weeds close to the lake's edge.