SIDNEY — An unforeseen $9,000 repair to Pit Fields will burden Sidney’s recreation budget, according to the treasurer of the organization that serves as the town’s recreation committee.

The new baseball diamond that opened last spring at Pit Fields has suffered water damage, according to Bob Dube, treasurer of the Sidney Athletic Association.

“There was significant erosion going on over by the river and behind the new ballfield, to the point where it was getting dangerous,” Dube said. “(The erosion) was getting close enough that we were going to lose a dugout.”

Dube and two other members of the Sidney Athletic Association provided an update Monday on the repairs, the cost and the impact on the recreation budget during the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

Dube said Pike Industries Inc. of Sidney completed the repairs, which included regrading the field and adding rip-rap to the riverbank, at a discount. “Pike gave us a 20 percent donation on materials,” he said.

Dube said the contractor has agreed to split the estimated $9,000 cost into two payments.

“They’re going to bill us 50 percent now, and 50 percent due by March 1,” he said.

A portion of the first bill can be paid out of the recreation committee’s 2011 budget.

“We have about $3,700 left in the field maintenance account this year,” he said.

The remainder could be paid from enrollment fees collected by the Sidney Athletic Association.

Payment of the second bill is contingent on taxpayers’ approval of recreation committee funding at Town Meeting, which is scheduled for March 24.

Dube said the recreation committee almost was not funded at the 2011 meeting.

“We had a hard time with our field maintenance account last year. We almost lost it,” he said. “It was a close vote.”

Dube added that even if the town votes to fund the committee at its current levels, the association will be in a pinch after the second bill is paid.

“All that’s going to be left is the mowing contract,” Dube said of the 2012 field maintenance money. “All remaining maintenance expenditures will have to be picked up by the (athletic association).”

Sidney Board Chairman John Whitcomb said the recreation committee should pitch a one-year funding increase to defray the repair costs to voters.

Selectman Kelly Couture agreed.

“You should put realistic money in your budget and be prepared to defend it,” she said.

Whitcomb said he felt optimistic about the potential response to a proposed increase.

“The future of the town is down there playing (at the fields),” he said. “And, if you want these kids to stay and keep investing in the town, then you have to have a reason for it.

The Sidney Athletic Association serves about 320 participants in youth sports. It has about 50 adult volunteers.