The Trenton Park Board agreed Wednesday evening to move forward with a plan to construct an addition to the park maintenance building, discussed at length a request from North Central Missouri College to make improvements to Burleigh Grimes Field and accepted bids for new playground equipment.
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Park Superintendent Jason Shuler presented plans for the construction of a nearly 4,500-square foot addition to the park maintenance building, a project that has been discussed for several years. Shuler said the expansion, which would be located on the south end of the existing structure, is needed due to the large amount of expensive equipment that should be housed inside and is currently being kept outside. A total of $100,000 had been budgeted for the building last year, but was not spent, so those funds were rolled back into the general fund. A portion of the project would be funded through the money saved from the department making its own repairs to buildings following a hail storm a few years ago. While funds had been set aside for the project, which is estimated at $120,000 to $125,000 total for construction, finish work and furnishings, Shuler said the board would have to over-spend this year’s budget if the project is constructed this year.
The board was in agreement that it is time to move forward with the project and agreed to have Shuler come up with specifications to send the project out for bid.
Shuler told the board that he has had several conversations with officials from North Central Missouri College concerning their need for improvements to Burleigh Grimes baseball field now that the college has moved from Division II to Division I. Shuler said Grimes Field does not meet the requirements for Division I play and NCMC had decided to play its fall season on the Mudcats field in Chillicothe. That field, however, is undergoing renovations and will not be available. Shuler said the college, which pays $750 per season to use the field, had agreed to contribute $6,000 toward the cost of making improvements to the infield, however, Shuler said that amount will not cover the cost. He also noted that there are many other improvements that would need to be made to the field to really have it meet Division I standards.
Board members discussed the economic impact of the college games, which were felt to be minimal, but acknowledged that some townspeople have been upset that the college would go out of town to play their games. Board members agreed, however, that there are many other priorities of the park board right now, including paying for the aquatic center and making improvements to the park system, and noted that the field does meet the needs of the city teams that play on it. The consensus of the board was that if the college needs improvements to the field, it was welcome to do so at its own cost.
A bid from Miracle Recreation Equipment of Lake Winnebago was accepted for new playground equipment to be placed at Eastside Park, just east of where the existing equipment is located. At $9,230, Miracle’s bid was slightly higher than the low bid of $9,030 submitted by Bergfield Recreation of Kansas City. Board members indicated they have worked with Miracle before and know the quality of that company’s products.
Board members revisited the possibility of putting in air conditioning and new furnaces at the Rock Barn. After getting two quotes in the $14,000 range, the board decided to see if the North Central Missouri Fair Board and Missouri Day Committee would be willing to cost-share the project and include it in next year’s budget.
In other business, the board discussed the possibility of constructing restrooms at VanMeter Park, which has been requested by a city councilman, and held a discussion concerning foul language and smoking at the skate park. It was noted that gates may be placed at the skate park to allow the park to be closed for a period of time if complaints persist. In response to a question from a board member, Shuler also discussed the difficulty in obtaining rock for Gladys Grimes Park and said he has sprayed for sand burrs, which are a recurring problem at that park.
Officers were elected and include Marti Williams, president; Mark Morse, vice president; and Lynda Lynch, secretary. The officers will take office on Oct. 1, with another election to be held at the May meeting. Those officers will serve a term of June 1-May 31, as is required by state statute.
Shuler told the board there had been a problem this year with the Trenton FFA Chapter returning picnic tables to the parks following the North Central Missouri Fair. He said he will be securing the tables to the shelterhouses in the park system, ensuring that they can not be moved and will be available for those wishing to use them in the park system.
Following the regular meeting, the board toured Moberly Park and the Trenton Family Aquatic Center, where an orientation was held for new members.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3.