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Batzer Bats a Thousand with the City of Medford
 Baseball season is underway at the new Medford Sports and Community Park, located along South Pacific Highway in Medford, thanks to a joint effort between the City of Medford and Batzer Inc. According to Merlin McDaniel, Medford's Design and Construction Manager for the Parks and Recreation Department, Batzer sacrificed profits to make sure the community could afford to construct the new Harry and David Baseball Stadium. "Essentially, Batzer rode in on a white horse and rescued the project," McDaniel says. "As active and caring community members, their team understood the value and the need for this facility."
 The "rescue" required that several million dollars be shaved from the original Sports Park design produced by a Portland-based architectural firm. And while about $2.5 million worth of the stadium construction was postponed until more funds became available, with Batzer's Design/Build strategy, the baseball field still functions as initially planned, says McDaniel. "Batzer came up with value-engineered alternatives that are outstanding. They were able to get the project within budget and to build something this community can use and be proud of."
Batzer re-engineered both big and small construction elements in order to save scarce dollars. For example, Batzer lowered the concourse by four feet in height, which ultimately saved $400,000 and provided the added benefit of allowing wheelchair access in the center of the stands. Also, instead of 10 different textures on the cinder blocks required in the Portland design firm plans, Batzer used only three. And, Batzer's plans will replace large amounts of concrete with a lawn area in the section between the stadium and parking lot. "This not only reduces costs, it softens the look of the park, and provides a comfortable place for people to relax outside of the complex," explains McDaniel.
McDaniel was also impressed with the way that Batzer was able to break the overall project into severalindividual components. This allows the City to prioritize and build in phases as finances become available over time. The entire Sports Park encompasses 130 acres, with 60 being relegated to Bear Creek Riparian area and several acres allotted to the Jefferson Nature Center. When complete, the facility will include nine fields for all levels of softball and baseball, including championship fields for tournaments and several facilities dedicated to field sports such as football, soccer, and lacrosse.
"Our goal is to become a regional destination sports park," says McDaniel. "The park will generate local income by hosting league sports and major tournaments that draw people from out of the area."
For Russ Batzer, President of the Design/Build firm, the first phase of the project was a success because of partnerships and teamwork. He credits Batzer's Project Manager and Superintendents for providing oversight on the job and ensuring quality craftsmanship at the Harry and David Baseball Stadium. "Our main goal was to provide a state-of-the-art baseball facility completed on time and within budget," he says. "And I'm pleased to say, we did it."
McDaniel agrees that vision and teamwork were keys to getting the project through the first phase, but also gives partial credit to Batzer's President. "Russ brought his brain, his brawn and his spirit to the table."
Thanks to the following main subcontractors for their part in building the Harry and David Baseball Stadium at the Medford Sports and Community Park:
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