By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
The Prairie Township Trustees discussed starting baseball and soccer and the Galloway Road Sports Complex.
“The park is open and the baseball fields are nearly complete,” said Rob Peters, administrator for Prairie Township. “We just need to level off the ballfields and they are ready to go. Soccer will start in the fall.”
The township has an agreement with Galloway Baseball Club and the Hilliard Ohio Soccer Association to use the fields this summer and fall.
Township officials hope baseball will start soon, but said a lot of the May rain delayed the fields for the start of baseball.
Contact sports like basketball, football and soccer are still in question, but organizers hope to get the green light to start those sports soon. However, the trail that loops the complex is currently open and has been frequently used by visitors.
In other news, the township gave an update on ModCon Living, formerly called Rebuilding Together Central Ohio. The program is dedicated to helping low income families and seniors in need by providing significant repairs to their homes.
Since 2018, the group has focused on improving one neighborhood in Prairie Township each year. In previous years they have worked on homes in the Little Farms and Lincoln Village North. This year, the work will take place on Inah Avenue, Gladys Road, Postle Boulevard and Oxley Road in Lincoln Village South. The repairs were supposed to take place in early May, but have been delayed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Work will include electrical and plumbing updates, furnaces and hot water tank replacements, fire safety and fall prevention improvements,” said Peters.
To be eligible for the program, one must meet federal poverty guidelines. For example, a family of four would have to make less than $43,050 a year to be eligible for the program.
“Last year, the average income in the neighborhood was $21,000 a year,” said Julie Smith, executive director. “When you are only making $21,000 a year, you can’t afford to fix a bathroom or address drainage issues.”
With a focus on senior citizens, ModCon Living’s goal is to sustain homes and neighborhoods by providing reliable, affordable home repair and modification services, while serving vulnerable homeowners, according to its website.
During each project, around 70 homes are repaired and will be selected on a first come, first serve basis based on meeting the criteria and repairs that need to be done.
ModCon Living is always looking for volunteers for their rebuilding projects.
For additional information, visit www.modconliving.org.
