The fairgrounds were damaged, along with the rest of the town, by the May 11 tornado that tore through Tonganoxie and left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Mark Zerrer, Tonganoxie Recreation Commission director, said that because the damage to the facilities didn’t interfere with play, repairs would have to take a backseat to the organization and management of the numerous baseball, softball and T-ball games to be played there this summer.

“We were lucky. Things could have been much worse,” he said. “People will have to be understanding of some of the noticeable damage.”

The tornado caused damage to some of the chain-link backstops as well as to much of the fencing surrounding the fields. Several light poles and the lights on top of them also were damaged, giving recreation commission workers plenty to do to get the fields ready for night play.

Zerrer said that one early game was lost due to the damages but that the season was now on track. He said that he expected smooth sailing for the rest of the summer.

“We will be able to get on with the season without missing a beat,” he said.

Damage to the concession stand building, which houses the restrooms, has been repaired, so nervous fans need not be quite so nervous.

The tornado blew the northeast corner of the roof off the building. Zerrer said he wasn’t sure exactly when the damages would be repaired.