PHOTO PROVIDED The site of the future Governor’s Park Baseball Field is seen from above.

BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council is moving ahead with its Governor’s Park Baseball Field Project.

At its meeting this week, council approved payment to John Nastase Construction for the project.

When Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson was elected mayor of Bellefonte Borough in early 2022, one of the many items on his list of tasks to complete was the renovation and improvement to John Montgomery Ward Baseball Field.

The improvements and renovations to the ball field have long been in process, and will feature many new quality of life features to attract people to the area.

Partially thanks to a $1.1 million grant, the field will now have a state-of-the-art turf infield, a natural grass outfield, a drainage system, signage throughout, two new dugouts, stadium-style seating, bleacher seats and a new press box.

The seats include two rows with 10 on each side of the field resulting in a total of 40 seats for spectators. Directly behind home plate there will also be 30 feet of metal bleachers.

“I went and took a tour out there,” said Doug Johnson, council president. “The field looks really nice.”

“This Wednesday we will do a punch-out with the architect. I anticipate a few leftover items around the press box. The field is pretty close — actually ready to go. There’ll be a couple items leftover that they’ll continue working on,” said Don Holderman, assistant to the borough manager.

When Rogers Stadium was renovated and expanded, the Bellefonte Red Raiders were forced to play at the Governor’s Park field. At the time, it had been a little worse for wear. However, when the Raiders’ home slate begins on April 11, they will have this new and improved field to call their own.

In addition to being used by the Bellefonte High School baseball team, the Centre County League and American Legion team will also be able to make use of the field.

In other news:

— Borough Offices will be closed Friday, April 7, for Good Friday. Refuse will not be collected on Friday. Refuse will be collected on Wednesday, April 5.

— Yard Waste Pick-up begins Wednesday, April 12. The payment was due March 31 to the Borough Office. If you have any questions or would like to be added to the Wait List please call the Borough Office at 814-355-1501.