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Renovations to the baseball fields at Alto Park have continued despite unusually wet conditions through May that hampered construction projects throughout the region.

The five baseball fields on the upper part of Alto Park, which are part of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, are being renovated. Synthetic infields will replace traditional clay and old chain-link fencing will be replaced with a newer, rubber-coated fence.

“Work on the fields is coming along fine,� crew leader Brock Coogler said. “We should still be on schedule to finish this summer, but all this rain has not been helpful.

The Floyd County Commission awarded a $1.1 million contract to Advanced Sports Group to install synthetic fields in April. The project is funded by the 2023 special purpose local option sales tax approved by voters.

The 2023 SPLOST also included numerous other improvements to most RFPRD parks, including: Etowah, Garden Lakes, Lock & Dam, North Floyd, Shag Williams and Wolfe.

Alto Park is scheduled to add shade over the mezzanine at the concession stand, switch lights to LED at the tennis courts and repave the lower parking lot.

Alto Park, Etowah Park and Riverview Park host baseball tournaments from leagues throughout the region. RFPRD Director Todd Wofford said he hopes to increase revenue by making these improvements to cut down on the number of games lost due to wet fields. The department makes money from field rentals and concession stands during tournaments

“Rain has caused considerable problems for us throughout the spring season,â€� Sports Manager Blake Lambert said. “Basically, a quarter of the season needed to be rescheduled, often more than once. ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý been a real challenge.â€�

According to Lambert, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association District Five All-Star Tournament had to be rescheduled this week due to rain.

“We had to reschedule 108 games out of 460 scheduled baseball, t-ball and softball games this spring,� Lambert said. “Plus 27 tournament days. This rain won’t end.�