Drilling 2 wells to provide Robbie Mills fields with watger would cost $47,000

Possible solution to keep Robbie Mills Field watered

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — A potential solution has emerged to a water-supply problem for Robbie Mills Field, home to the Laconia Muskrats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

The city has been looking for a way to restore water service to the field at 15 Eastman Road, which depended on a water tower that is part of the former Laconia State School campus.. A water main servicing that tower failed a few weeks ago.

Rather than make expensive repairs, the state, which is under no obligation to provide water to the city's field, opted to tie into a water main on Route 106. That roadway is close to the state's property but a good distance from the ball field.

City Manager Scott Myers has been investigating ways to bring water back to the field, which would turn brown over the summer without irrigation. Also, bathroom facilities would not be operational and would have to be replaced with portable potties.

He has prepared a presentation for the Monday night's City Council meeting with a possible solution. Workers could dig two wells at a total cost of $47,000 to remedy the problem, presuming the city would be able to store the water in the state's tank.

The alternative would be to run a one-half mile trenched, temporary water line to Route 106. That would cost $97,000.

The city has a contingency fund that can be used to pay for unexpected repair projects.

The Robbie Mills Sports Complex land is owned by the State of N.H. and was leased to the city for 99 years at nominal cost.