Major work in east side Wapsi Park will likely take place toward the end of the summer, it was learned at a budget work session of the West Liberty City Council and department heads on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Parks and Recreation director Nick Heath says the current basketball court and volleyball court at the south end of the park will be razed and replaced with new courts as well as hard surface soccer court, something Heath says residents have been requesting for years.
He said, depending on the budget, the park department hopes to build a half or full court basketball court as well as a new volleyball court in the park.
“We’re really excited to see this happen,” Heath said, noting although fencing was not included in the budget, he hopes to add fencing for the courts next year.
The project is not to be overlooked by over $100,000 in work the department will need to do this year to prepare the city’s 92-year-old pool at Kimberly Park. Heath said the pool will need to be sandblasted and repainted at an estimated cost of $45,000 to $60,000 while the baby pool is also in need of recaulking, a process that is expected to cost another $20,000-$35,000. He said a test showed the baby pool is leaking water. The department also needs to fix piping in a slide area after an inspection by state authorities, another anticipated $25,000 cost. Heath said the work would be split between spring and fall to allow for the summer swim season.
Heath said the sandblasting/painting repairs to the pool usually take place every five to seven years and told the council they may need to make a major decision in the nearby future concerning continuing to put money into the pool or consider options for a new pool/splash park.
Heath did say the pool will be getting a new diving board this year, part of the 2021 FY budget.
The director also said more sidewalks are being added at Kimberly Park as well, including one extending from the parking area to the main shelter building. He said the department is working on final details for those additional walks.
He said the soccer fields at Wapsi Park will also get new lighting this year and said the department is looking ahead to putting in a new playground in the next two to three years at Railroad Park near the Heritage Depot Museum.
Heath took on discussion from the board about future projects including the creation of a pickleball court, a sport that is gaining more and more interest across the country, as well as a recreation center and additional walking/biking trails, all to be talked about on Tuesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the West Liberty Public Library, when the city hosts a work session with the Bi-State Planning Commission on a strategic plan they have put together for West Liberty Parks and Recreation.
Public work session
At a work session on March 1, the City Council went over a public hearing amendment budget that is expected to show a fund balance of nearly $14 million by June 30, 2022.
In that meeting, it was learned the West Liberty Fire Department will be getting a Ryan Grant to the tune of $95,000 to help offset costs for $170,000 in air pac equipment. The West Liberty Police Department will also be getting a $25,000 Ryan grant for miscellaneous needs for their department.
In other capital projects, the city also learned of an approximate $100,000 anticipated expenditure for work at the West Liberty Public Library, which will come through the Library trust and $125,000 was set aside for engineering fees and construction costs for the Rainbow Drive/Maxson Street upgrade to take place this summer. Phase I of the city hall was also in the capital projects at $100,000.
City clerk Lee Geertz called the process “fun” and said being able to provide public programs thanks to budget planning can be an asset for the community. City manager Dave Haugland said there usually isn’t much to change in an annual budget, noting about 80 percent of what the city takes in and spends is already set, but said there are certain areas where the council has a say in purchases and improvements.
The discussion continues.