For as long as most can remember, the open grassy area that abuts the outfied of the Bridgeport High School baseball field and the parking lot in front of Wayne Jamison Field has been used for youth baseball. Whether it’s for tee-ball or C-Ball – or even for Bridgeport Middle School football practice or some other activity – the field has been heavily utilized by the community.

 

This time next year, that field won’t be open for use. Thanks to the new Johnson Elementary School that will open on the site, which is owned by the Harrison County Board of Education, the fields will soon be a thing of the past.

 

While that may not seem like a big deal, overflowing fields at nearly every venue in the city has likely made it a concern for many. That, of course, leads to the question will there be any fields or a field to help replace what’s being removed?

 

The answer is a solid “it’s possible.” That is the response to the question when posed to Harrison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Manchin.

 

“I don’t want to speculate as to exactly what we’re going to do, but I can tell you that when the new school is right near completion, you’re going to see the demolition of the existing building,” said Manchin. “Obviously, they’ll be some green space, parking and options for other recreational areas. There’s a myriad of things that could be done there.”

 

 Manchin said he thinks there will be fields there for recreational use. How that shakes out will be determined at a later date.

 

“We do envisions field for play, perhaps something for tee-ball or something of that nature. That has to be decided and I can’t tell you exactly what that will be at this. Our job is to tell the architect what we want there,” said Manchin. “Their job is to design what we want the best way possible. Still, that’s an ideal area for something like small ball field and a playground.”

 

Manchin said it’s his hope to be as accommodating as possible with the space that he knows is limited. He said he and members of the BOE are aware that the ball fields are being taken away and that will be taken into consideration when a decision is made as to what to ultimately do with the space left when the current JES is demolished.

 

“The final decision rests with the elected members of the Board of Education,” said Manchin. “I have faith they’ll do what’s in the best interest of the students and the community like they always do.”

 

Work in the area likely won't begin until after September. The building still has to be designed and then put out  to bid. School officials are hopeful for a September 2018 opening for the $16.7 million, two-story building.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows youth practice taking place at one of the fields this past week, while the second photo shows a wider view of the area where the new Johnson Elementary will be located. Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin is shown below.