Funds needed to upgrade parks, rec areas
1:15 AM
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, January 10, 2007
When patrons plop down in their seats at the Long Lines Family Rec Center, they may see a cloud of something bounce into the air.
"Those seats have been there for years and years and years," Terry Hoffman, parks and recreation manager, told the City Council Tuesday night. "You sit down and you see a puff of debris coming out of the cushions."
The chairs in the former Municipal Auditorium were not replaced when the city built the adjacent Tyson Events Center and renovated the auditorium into the rec center. The Events Center Executive Committee discussed seat replacement, but cut that project to keep the overall cost down.
Consequently, Hoffman asked the council to budget $19,000 in the fiscal year 2008 budget to replace those seats.
"How many seats actually are used?" Councilman Jim Rixner asked.
Hoffman replied, "That depends upon the event. Sometimes it's full and other times it's half full."
Mayor Craig Berenstein wondered if the city could use the seats that were covered up at the south end of the bowl for replacements.
He asked for $7,000 to replace the chillers and another $2,000 to replace the boilers. Overall, he asked for $7,.000 in 2008 to pay for new equipment, install a computerized light control and repairs at the rec center.
"We should be very happy we are seeing an increase in use," Hoffman said. "We probably were the busiest we have ever been over the holidays. We're seeing wear and tear in the building, which is a good thing."
On another matter, Hoffman updated the council on the planning taking place to use the $2.2 million left to the city by Ruth Cone in a trust after her death in 1981. The only restriction is that the money must be used for a new park.
Hoffman said the committee has toured sites around the city and plans to travel to visit parks in the Des Moines area and Chicago.
"Our intent is to come back to the City Council with three different concepts."
Berenstein, a member of the committee, said, "We are discussing the kinds of park we want, the features and location. ...We've talked about water parks, war memorials, zoo concepts. ...The best alternative may take more money" than left in the trust. "We felt there was no harm in banking those funds and generating additional interest."
Kelly Bach, acting parks superintendent, outlined funds needed for annual parks improvements. Those include $105,000 in 2008 to replace deteriorating bricks at the Anderson Dance Pavilion, $80,000 for additional repairs to the Grandview Park Bandshell, $25,000 to replace playground equipment, $19,000 for a basketball court and $10,000 to replace picnic tables.
In 2008, Bach is asking for $80,000 to build restrooms at Bacon Creek Park and $50,000 to renovate the restrooms at Lewis Park.
The council discussed relocating the Headid Little League complex off Hawkeye Drive, at an estimated cost of $1.76 million, but reached no decision. Councilman Jason Geary said Strikers ballfield, at 4900 U.S. Highway 75 South, also needs to be upgraded. The price tag for that project has been placed at $1 million.
Kurt Peterson, cemetery supervisor, asked for $50,000 to repair the main road into Logan Park Cemetery, in addition to the $65,000 budgeted in 2007.
"It has the original curb and gutter. We have noticed a lot of problems with visitors stepping up to visit loved ones" in the cemetery he said of the high curb.
He requested $50,000 to replace the water line at Logan in 2008, noting they are 20 years old. The galvanized pipe is deteriorating and often gets plugged. There is no water provided to visitors in Graceland Cemetery because those pipes were disconnected due to disrepair. He has placed $85,000 into the 2009 CIP for that repair.
The second phase of the Graceland Chapel renovation is planned for 2007, with new carpet, lights and a furnace.
Regarding swimming pool improvements, Recreation Superintendent Geoff Hubbard said the city needs to replace 25--year-old lifeguard chairs at Lewis and Leif Erikson pools in 2008 and 2009. The eight chairs cost $4,000 each.
Other repairs he proposed include $2,000 each to buy five automatic and manual vacuums over the next two years and $7,000 to replace spray features.
Rixner questioned spending $30,000 to install signature signs at the entrance to Chris Larsen Park near Hamilton Boulevard and at Riverside Park, which would feature brick, stone and landscaping. Smaller signs would be installed at the pools, for $5,000 apiece.
"Am I the only one who thinks $30,000 is too much to spend on a sign?" Rixner asked.
"Of course not," answered Councilman Brent Hoffman, who is not related to Terry Hoffman.
The council discussed the Riverside Master Plan study, which is about 90 percent completed. Staff also proposed spending $10,000 to upgrade the skyboxes at Lewis & Clark Stadium in 2008. This year work will continue on replacing the outfield wall, for $40,000.
"Those seats have been there for years and years and years," Terry Hoffman, parks and recreation manager, told the City Council Tuesday night. "You sit down and you see a puff of debris coming out of the cushions."
The chairs in the former Municipal Auditorium were not replaced when the city built the adjacent Tyson Events Center and renovated the auditorium into the rec center. The Events Center Executive Committee discussed seat replacement, but cut that project to keep the overall cost down.
Consequently, Hoffman asked the council to budget $19,000 in the fiscal year 2008 budget to replace those seats.
"How many seats actually are used?" Councilman Jim Rixner asked.
Hoffman replied, "That depends upon the event. Sometimes it's full and other times it's half full."
Mayor Craig Berenstein wondered if the city could use the seats that were covered up at the south end of the bowl for replacements.
He asked for $7,000 to replace the chillers and another $2,000 to replace the boilers. Overall, he asked for $7,.000 in 2008 to pay for new equipment, install a computerized light control and repairs at the rec center.
"We should be very happy we are seeing an increase in use," Hoffman said. "We probably were the busiest we have ever been over the holidays. We're seeing wear and tear in the building, which is a good thing."
On another matter, Hoffman updated the council on the planning taking place to use the $2.2 million left to the city by Ruth Cone in a trust after her death in 1981. The only restriction is that the money must be used for a new park.
Hoffman said the committee has toured sites around the city and plans to travel to visit parks in the Des Moines area and Chicago.
"Our intent is to come back to the City Council with three different concepts."
Berenstein, a member of the committee, said, "We are discussing the kinds of park we want, the features and location. ...We've talked about water parks, war memorials, zoo concepts. ...The best alternative may take more money" than left in the trust. "We felt there was no harm in banking those funds and generating additional interest."
Kelly Bach, acting parks superintendent, outlined funds needed for annual parks improvements. Those include $105,000 in 2008 to replace deteriorating bricks at the Anderson Dance Pavilion, $80,000 for additional repairs to the Grandview Park Bandshell, $25,000 to replace playground equipment, $19,000 for a basketball court and $10,000 to replace picnic tables.
In 2008, Bach is asking for $80,000 to build restrooms at Bacon Creek Park and $50,000 to renovate the restrooms at Lewis Park.
The council discussed relocating the Headid Little League complex off Hawkeye Drive, at an estimated cost of $1.76 million, but reached no decision. Councilman Jason Geary said Strikers ballfield, at 4900 U.S. Highway 75 South, also needs to be upgraded. The price tag for that project has been placed at $1 million.
Kurt Peterson, cemetery supervisor, asked for $50,000 to repair the main road into Logan Park Cemetery, in addition to the $65,000 budgeted in 2007.
"It has the original curb and gutter. We have noticed a lot of problems with visitors stepping up to visit loved ones" in the cemetery he said of the high curb.
He requested $50,000 to replace the water line at Logan in 2008, noting they are 20 years old. The galvanized pipe is deteriorating and often gets plugged. There is no water provided to visitors in Graceland Cemetery because those pipes were disconnected due to disrepair. He has placed $85,000 into the 2009 CIP for that repair.
The second phase of the Graceland Chapel renovation is planned for 2007, with new carpet, lights and a furnace.
Regarding swimming pool improvements, Recreation Superintendent Geoff Hubbard said the city needs to replace 25--year-old lifeguard chairs at Lewis and Leif Erikson pools in 2008 and 2009. The eight chairs cost $4,000 each.
Other repairs he proposed include $2,000 each to buy five automatic and manual vacuums over the next two years and $7,000 to replace spray features.
Rixner questioned spending $30,000 to install signature signs at the entrance to Chris Larsen Park near Hamilton Boulevard and at Riverside Park, which would feature brick, stone and landscaping. Smaller signs would be installed at the pools, for $5,000 apiece.
"Am I the only one who thinks $30,000 is too much to spend on a sign?" Rixner asked.
"Of course not," answered Councilman Brent Hoffman, who is not related to Terry Hoffman.
The council discussed the Riverside Master Plan study, which is about 90 percent completed. Staff also proposed spending $10,000 to upgrade the skyboxes at Lewis & Clark Stadium in 2008. This year work will continue on replacing the outfield wall, for $40,000.
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