Junction City Commissioners will be asked Tuesday night to consider allowing the use of Rathert Field for a country music concert.
According to information provided by City Manager Allen Dinkel in the agenda packet for the governing body, Vaughn Sterling has asked to rent the field for the concert on Aug. 3rd.
Sterling coordinates events across the country. Last year he held a concert in Wakefield on the baseball field and feels this would be a better facility and location. The concert would end in the 10:30 to 11 p.m. time frame. He also feels that it would give the stadium another use both now and in the future.
There are items to consider. One is the rental fee. Dinkel suggested $1,000 to $1,500 since there will be electric usage and the need to clean rest rooms and the area. The other is the potential to damage the field. The city manager noted that Sterling talked about putting the 24 by 30 stage in the outfield and allowing a standing crowd on the infield. Others would sit in the bleachers. Another concern is noise since there are residents nearby. There would be revenue, but the City would have some expenses.
As far as the staff recommendation is concerned, the plus side is that an event would draw people to Junction City now and possibly become an annual event. There are, however, the previous concerns to consider.
The commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 701 North Jefferson. Dinkel reported that Sterling is expected to be in attendance.