What’s the next big project in the works for the Kewanee Park District? A major expansion and upgrade for the clubhouse at the Baker Park golf course.
The Kewanee Park Board Thursday accepted the bid of Legat Architects of the Quad Cities to design the job.
Andrew Dwyer, executive director of the park district, said the upgrade will expand the clubhouse and add banquet facilities and golf simulators.
Dwyer said the Legat firm “stood out above all the rest” of the architectural firms that bid on the job. And they bid the lowest fee for their services, he added.
A bond issue for the park district will be paid off this year, Dwyer said, and the park board will issue more bonds to pay for the expansion.
Dwyer, Park Board President Paula Kapacinskas and board member Jim Heberer visited the Highland Springs golf course in Rock Island, where the clubhouse was recently upgraded according to a Legat design.
They said that job was probably more extensive than the work planned for the Baker Park clubhouse, but they were impressed with the design of the project.
Dwyer said the park district will “work within the lines” of the Legat plan for Baker Park.
Also Thursday, the board accepted bids of Blue Jay Tree Service for emergency tree work and for stump removal.
Dwyer said the emergency contract would cover removal of trees downed in a storm or other occurrence. Blue Jay will be paid $440 per hour, the same rate they were paid for tree work following last summer’s tornado and the lowest bid the park district received.
The board Thursday also discussed the possibility of mowing some of the tall grass on the golf course along Madison Avenue.
A city official has told park officials that the tall grass violates a city ordinance requiring residents to keep their lawns mowed.
A few years ago, park officials decided a reduce mowing on areas on the golf course which don’t come into play, and the Madison Avenue site is one of those areas.
Dwyer said he was told by the city official that he had received a citizen complaint about the Madison Avenue grass. He said he will discuss the matter further with Mayor Gary Moore and City Manager Gary Bradley.
