Tangible progress on the city’s $5.5 million outdoors sports complex and recreation center on Spruce Street is expected to begin in mid-April, according to city officials.
Dirt work for the project will go to bid in March, with bidding for concrete and the building to follow, said Travis Witzemann, economic developer. Steps have been taken to hasten the bidding process, he said.
City officials are also working through a minor boundary discrepancy, as county GIS maps show the Spruce Street property inside city limits while the city’s GIS shows a small portion outside. Lloyd Wells, city administrator, will meet with county officials to confirm the status, with the city prepared to update its maps or pursue annexation if needed.
The property is also planned to be rezoned from residential to agricultural, to align with other government buildings in the area.
A final design of the 32,000 square foot recreation center that includes two basketball courts with a walking trail, full-size baseball infield, pitching/batting cages, restrooms and concessions that can also serve the outdoor venue was approved during a February meeting.
The outdoor facility includes two softball/youth fields and two baseball fields that are east of the building. The structure faces a parking lot to accommodate about 200 cars on the west side. Under the preliminary plan, parking would initially be a gravel lot and asphalt is expected later.
The project, paid through city reserves, possible grants and a lease-purchase component overseen by investment banker McLiney and Co. of Mission, Kansas, preliminarily includes about $4.1 million in construction costs, a 10 percent contingency for unforeseen expenses, as well as financial and management fees. The city also has an income stream from a half-cent sales tax earmarked for parks. The project is not to exceed $5.5 million. Pavilions could be added later.