The baseball field at Dave Mackie Park on Maxwelton Road will see several improvements in the coming months.

Island County Public Works is expected to hire a contractor to replace the existing backstop and make repairs to the grandstand and bleachers. The bleachers were damaged in a suspicious fire last August. The facility is unsafe and has been roped off to prevent public access.

The project includes the replacement of rotten support posts and the concrete slab in front of the bleachers, bringing the structure up to code by strengthening roof rafters, and installing handrails near stairs and wood blocking between bleacher supports to make the facility safer.

According to Public Works Director Bill Oakes, the project is expected to cost about $22,000 but volunteer work should reduce that number by about $6,000. A contract should be finalized by May and the work completed within 30 days, he said.