Parks Board expresses some concerns about future of parks

Thursday, October 26, 2006

#By Ralph Pokorny

Nevada Daily Mail

"Nevada has always been known for the quality of its parks and recreation, but when I see all the improvements dissolving right before my eyes, it takes my passion away," parks board member Gina Cripps, said during Wednesday's board meeting.

"It was so exciting being on the parks board before the new council was elected. It was a thrill," Cripps said.

"We had plans for what we were going to do, but now we are not doing anything. We are at a standstill," she said.

"Our hands are tied."

What it has changed to now is stagnation, she said.

"It needs to change," she said.

In a related matter, the parks board voted 6-0, with one abstention, to have Larry Bradley, parks board president, request, during his report during the next council meeting, that in the future the council get the board's input, or at least let the parks board know before the council takes action on issues relating to the parks. Tim Holmes, Nora Quitno, Gina Cripps, Jim Novak, William Bishop and Larry Bradley, voted yes. Jeff Post abstained because he is on the Griffons board.

In other business, the board postponed selecting a company to build the enclosed shelter house until a work session on Nov. 1, so they can get more information on the lowest bidder, which was about half the price of the next lowest bidder. The bids were for constructing a 42 by 72-foot building at Marmaduke Park, that is roughed in, with the HVAC installed. City employees will do the finish work. Mike Hoskins, parks maintenance, told the board the building would be located directly east of the north shelter at the park, at the top of the hill, to prevent water from running in the building.

During discussion of capital expenditures for 2007, Hoskins told the board that parks maintenance needs one new mower, to replace one that is worn out.

Ray Crawford, golf course manager, told the board that they need to set up a program to systematically replace maintenance equipment, adding that he knew that they needed a new mower for the fairways. "I know the fairway mower can't make it another year," he said.

Crawford told the board that what he needs the most for the clubhouse is a weather satellite system to provide warning of severe weather moving into the area. This would improve safety at the golf course as well as the pool and the ball fields.

He told the board that he had a chance to try the system out on the Internet for one week. During that time, a small storm came through. It started raining at exactly the time the system said it would start. He said the equipment would cost $1,500 for the first year. Crawford told the board that they are holding their annual Halloween Golf Tournament this weekend and if the city council would waive the usual $1,500 tournament fee, that money could be used to purchase the weather system. The proceeds from this annual tournament always go for the golf course.

"I think this is something we can use for the entire city. It could be linked to the community center for another $1,200 per year," Crawford said.

Nora Quitno and Post suggested that perhaps it should be located at the community center of the Police Department, since they are open more hours per day.

There may be some funds available through the Vernon County Local Emergency Planning Committee to help pay for this, Post said.

The board decided to tour the community centers in El Dorado Springs and Har-risonville to get ideas for the new civic center that may be built here with the parks and recreation sales tax.

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