MARS — Borough council is considering making some changes to Marburger Field, according to a council discussion Monday night.

Parks and recreation Chairwoman Julie Schultheis said the borough needs to install a new concession building at the field.

“I've been wanting to tear that building down for a while up there,” Schultheis said. “I was just hoping for some planning.”

The field's concession building is being used for storage, Schultheis said. She added she wants to work with borough secretary Bonnie Forsythe to develop 3-D images of a potential new building.

“I know she has that background,” Schultheis said. “I wanted to work with her on any concession stand drawings.”

Schultheis said her husband also knows someone who does local renovations and could draft drawings.

The concession building is not in good enough condition to continue being used, Schultheis said. At one time, it had bathrooms, but doesn't now.

Schultheis said bathrooms would be included in new building plans. She looks forward to starting the planning process for replacing the building.

“It has to come down, and we're going to replace it,” Schultheis said. “We have to come up with a drawing first.”

“There have been lots of things there over the years,” said Robert Bost, council vice president.

Schultheis suggested the borough could use those connections to move the project forward. She said people have told her they're interesting in financially supporting the project.

“I've been talking with some people using the field,” Schultheis said. “That say they have money (or) they're more than happy to ... fund raise for more money.”

Mayor Gregg Hartung said there are other ways the public could contribute to the project.

“The other thing the borough could do is make a recreational association (to) take over responsibility,” Hartung said. “They could raise money independently and take care of the fields.”

Hartung said council could also consult with Butler County Parks and Recreation Department about funding options.

Council agreed that could be an option.

Schultheis said the concession building was supposed to be torn down last year.

“The building has to come down this year,” Schultheis said. “And we're hoping that ... by this time next year, there's going to be a building up there.”

Schultheis added the borough may need to provide a temporary structure to house football equipment being stored in the building.

Bost said council should talk about field use before planning to take money from local individuals or groups.

“Before we get the hammers out, (we should) start talking about what our long-term plan is for that field,” Bost said. “What you're going to build depends on the ultimate use of that field.”

Council decided to continue discussing the situation at the March agenda meeting.

“Nothing's going to change for this year,” Schultheis said. “(But) we really do need a facility up there.”

Plans for a new building are preliminary. After getting a drawing, Schultheis said the next step would be to calculate an estimate for the project.

Schultheis also reported to council that old drink machines located at the field have been removed by The Coca-Cola Company.

“Whatever we replace up there with the new concession stand or whatever, we'll get something new,” Schultheis said.