WATERVILLE — City councilors Tuesday approved a batch of outdoor recreation-related requests, including a memorandum of understanding with Alfond Youth Center for shared responsibilities at Purnell-Wrigley Ballfield on Mathews Avenue.

The Youth Center is raising money for and plans to start renovating the field this year into a replica of Chicago’s Wrigley Field, complete with special turf, public address building, bathrooms, dugouts, lights and access for those with disabilities.

Ken Walsh, chief executive officer of the Youth Center, has been working for about two years with the city’s parks and recreation director, Matt Skehan, on the project. Councilor Sydney Mayhew, R-Ward, 4, also has worked on the plans.

“The way I look at it is, it will really be a huge asset to the city of Waterville,” Skehan said.

Walsh said the surface of the multipurpose field will be the only one of its type in the Northeast and will be appropriate for children with disabilities. The field is named for Fran Purnell, longtime supporter of youth baseball, who received applause from Mayor Nick Isgro, councilors and others at Walsh’s request Tuesday. It will be for not only baseball and softball, but also for lacrosse, field hockey and other recreational purposes.

The goal, Walsh said, is to start construction in June.

“It’s a $1 million project but the great thing is, it’s a grass-roots project,” he said.

Technical school students will build the concession stand, and Home Depot and Central Maine Power Co. will pitch in to help create savings, he said. Gifts from foundations will provide the bulk of money needed for the project, according to Walsh.

“I’m still on pins and needles, waiting to hear back from some of them,” Walsh said.

Mayhew said it will be a state-of-the art field that will draw people to the city and create revenue. Walsh, he said, has been persistent in seeing that the project happens, traveling extensively and working the phones. Councilor Nathaniel White, D-Ward 2, said he has great memories of playing ball at Purnell Field as a child and he knows Walsh will make sure the project is a success.

“This is a good thing for Waterville, and much needed,” White said.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the memorandum of understanding.

In other recreation-related action Tuesday, the council voted to spend $6,000 to hire Aquatics Group, of Peabody, Massachusetts, to evaluate the condition of the city-owned Alfond Municipal pool on North Street and make recommendations to the city on possible improvements. City Manager Michael Roy said the city has been putting money aside for years to prepare for any needed work to the pool and has just under $200,000 in that account. Skehan recommends the study be done.

“Now, I think it’s so important to get this study Matt’s been pushing,” Roy said.

The council voted 7-0 to renew a lease with John Curato to manage the city-owned Pine Ridge Golf Course on West River Road.

“It’s worked, I think, very well having John and his crew there,” Roy said.

He said Curato works well with the owners of the adjacent restaurant, Joseph’s Fireside Steakhouse, on parking issues and has made improvements at the golf course.

The council approved a memorandum of understanding with Friends of Green Street Park for shared responsibility of the city-owned park, located in the city’s South End. The Friends of Green Street Park are raising funds to build a new skate pad, a playground, a walking loop trail, community gardens and a bathroom facility.

In unrelated matters, councilors voted to purchase a $25,835 commercial mower and attachments from Hammond Tractor Co., to be used by parks and recreation. They also voted to contract with Sherwin Williams Co. of Waterville for $21,865 for traffic paint, and to accept an offer of $500 from the state Department of Transportation for a drainage easement as part of the Trafton Road interchange project. Roy said construction of the interchange will start this year.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17