New splash pad proposal offered
Published 8:18 am Thursday, January 25, 2018
After years of discussion and a city pledge of $250,000 for the project, Winchester leaders saw a proposal Tuesday which could be built with the city’s funds.
The plan presented by Randee Norris, a designer with Recreation Insites of Indiana, would cost $245,000 to construct and open. The pad would be about 45 feet in diameter with a number of features. The pad could be expanded later, Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Lewis said.
The projection calls for $105,000 for the features and another $105,000 for site preparation and installation along with $15,000 each for fencing and civil engineering and design work, and $5,000 for utility connections for a total of $245,000.
Winchester City Manager Matt Belcher said the city included $250,000 toward the project in the fiscal year 2017 budget, Design funds were also part of the fiscal year 2016 budget.
“We’re looking at different alternatives,” he said.
The pad would be built on the site of the former Eugene Gay pool off C.G. Stephenson Drive, which was demolished and removed several years ago.
The proposal did not include any restrooms or additional parking. Lewis said restrooms could be built for about $150,000 as a second phase to the project.
The proposed park is significantly less expensive than earlier estimates, partly because of a change from a recirculating water system to one where the water runs off and goes back into the sewer system.
“In order for us to get something going and done … that’s when we went back to Plan B,” said Deatra Newell, who has worked with Lewis on the project.
The commissioners did not vote on the proposal but requested more concrete numbers about water use and operational costs associated with the pad.
In other action, the commissioners:
— approved a new application for events requiring a street closure.
— approved a grant application for Winchester Police for speed-monitoring equipment.
— awarded a contract to demolish a structure at 50 Lincoln St. by Houston contracting for $5,875.
— approved an upgrade to four street lights and a new light at Almond Street.
— hired Whitney P. Hood as account clerk.
— hired Shonda R. Morgan and David A. Sargent as communications officers.
— accepted the resignation of Tristan Rogers as a communications officer.