NPS approves collaboration for softball comfort station

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Norfolk Public Schools agreed to help fund a comfort station to be installed in Ta-Ha-Zouka Park.

On Monday, Norfolk Public Schools approved entering a collaboration with the City of Norfolk and Northeast Community College to construct a comfort station.

This comfort station would be used by the softball teams allowing lockers rooms for two teams, better bathrooms, and an area for umpires.

It comes after the city voted "no" on a sales tax to renovate Ta-Ha-Zouka Park. Under the collaboration, the school would fund up to $400,000 for the project, with the city and college contributing a similar amount.

The $1.2 million project is a need according to associate superintendent Dr. William Robinson, who said the facilities are in need of an upgrade.

"It's a nice place to go, but the amenities need to be improved," Robinson said. "Right now the athletes do not have a place to change out there."

Another proponent was Chloe Harper, a sophomore at NPS who plays softball for the Panthers. She said multiple people have complained about the amenity's conditions, and that no significant upgrades had been made to the park.

"We have been asking for changes for as long as I can remember," Harper said. "Multiple times...I've heard other team's players, parents, and coaches complaining about how gross they were. Up until the 2021-22 softball seasons at the high school, players had to change in the parking lot, why is this okay and who allowed that? Things need to change and this proposal is a great start."

The city and community college have yet to vote on this collaboration.