The metal bleachers at the Coplay American Legion Baseball Field have been deemed unsafe for residents to sit on.

The unsafe nature of the bleachers came to light at the April 8 Coplay Borough Council meeting.

Bill Loy, chairperson of the Coplay Parks and Recreation Board, appeared before council. He said the board has been discussing fundraising to remedy deficiencies and refurbish park and recreation areas, such as the pool, the parkway, playground, baseball fields and basketball and tennis courts.

"It came to our attention when we were going around to the different parks, just looking at things that could be a danger or troublesome to Coplay, that the bleachers at the Legion field are very unsafe," Loy said.

He said the board feels the planks on the bleachers should be replaced. The estimated cost for repairs would be around $2,000.

"We checked the lease and found that this type of maintenance may well be the Legion baseball's responsibility," he said. "We understand that, but we feel from a safety standpoint, we must be paramount and either the bleachers get repaired or they should not be used at all."

The parks and recreation committee has recently been revamped, and as Loy stated, the committee has many questions for council, such as what the parks and rec line item in the 2014 budget should be used for and whether it is the committee's job or the council's to determine the use.

Loy said he viewed the pursuit as a partnership and suggested a meeting between the park and recreation board and council.

"We can move forward together, but we need to know what council's vision is," he said.

Council members agreed a meeting would prove beneficial.

"What you brought up is a plateful of issues," Councilman William Leiner Jr. said.

Councilman Charles Sodl questioned why the borough should spend money on the bleachers when it is the lessee's responsibility for maintenance.

When Loy mentioned it was a safety issue and the borough could be sued if someone gets injured, Sodl said other action should then be taken.

"I have a question of just taking $2,000 and make a quick fix out of something, when it's more difficult than that," Sodl said. "There are more issues there."

Sodl explained that while the American Legion does have liability insurance, if the insurance policy doesn't cover the whole year, it leaves the borough vulnerable.

Coplay Solicitor James Preston noted the borough is liable even if the American Legion does have insurance.

"We could be liable right today," Sodl said. "That's the issue that I want to address. I want this problem taken care of."

Council decided to hold an executive session for real-estate and possible litigation after the regular meeting concluded.

A meeting between the council and the parks and recreation committee will be held April 29.