A softball field in Castelfranco Veneto will receive ten-meter-high protective netting by February 28, 2027, under an agreement reached by the municipal administration and regional transport operator Mom, Tribuna di Treviso reported.
Errant balls from the Via Forche facility had previously struck the adjacent Mom public transport depot, causing property damage. The dispute intensified in April when Mom issued a formal legal notice regarding incidents that included a shattered diesel dispenser glass and dents on the staff building, according to Tribuna di Treviso.
Mom Issues Legal Warning over Depot Safety Concerns
The sports facility is used by the Thunders & Dragons softball club. The club had raised safety concerns with municipal authorities months before the transport depot became operational, Tribuna di Treviso reported.
The legal warning issued by Mom said that sports activities at the site faced potential suspension because liability rests with the entity operating the facility rather than the property owner, which is the municipality. Under the newly finalized accord, the project carries a total investment of 44,113 euros. Mom will contribute a maximum of 20,000 euros toward the total cost.
New Lighting Tower Supports Protective Netting and Field Illumination
The construction plans include an 18-meter lighting tower that will serve a dual purpose as a structural support for the protective netting while providing night illumination for the softball field. The setup meets official technical standards required for baseball and softball venue homologation.
For years, Thunders & Dragons has requested annual federation waivers to play evening games due to the lack of permanent lighting at the Via Forche ground. Without these exemptions, the Serie A club would be forced to play away fixtures or request field reversals at additional financial cost.
Municipal Authorities Commit 80,000 Euros for Additional Lighting
To address the lighting deficiency permanently, municipal authorities have committed to an additional investment of 80,000 euros to install two more lighting towers and the corresponding electrical infrastructure.
“Doveroso sottolineare che l’accordo con Mom arriva grazie alla collaborazione di tre assessorati, ovvero, oltre allo sport, quello ai lavori pubblici e al bilancio, una sinergia che ha permesso di arrivare a un soluzione in tempi brevi,” said Cristian Antonello, municipal sports councilor.
Club representatives expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure agreement, noting that the combined investments resolve long-standing operational challenges for the Serie A side.
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