One park construction project is on schedule, but another seems to be encountering delays.
At Thursday’s Kewanee Park Board meeting, Parks Director Andrew Dwyer reported that a construction manager is to be selected for upgrades to the tennis court at Windmont Park.
The project will include resurfacing the court to allow for pickle ball and basketball to be played there.
Dwyer said bids for the resurfacing have come in lower than expected. He has said he hopes the project can be completed by the end of the summer.
Progress has not been so quick, however, on the installation of a splash pad and other amenities in Liberty Park.
The park district has received a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the state for the project, and state officials have not been moving quickly to move the project along.
“It appears it’s going to be a very slow process,” Dwyer said. He said he hopes there can be a groundbreaking for the project next spring.
Also Thursday:
— This year’s Child’s Best Friend Award was presented to Alex Bermudez. Bermudez has been a coach in the district’s youth soccer program for years and is now the program director.
Bermudez is “always looking for something to help with in the parks,” Dwyer said.
— Dwyer reported that the number of youths who have signed up for the baseball and softball programs in the park continues to increase.
This spring, 440 young people have registered, up from 425 last year and 410 two years ago.
— The park board will be asked to consider approving an issue of alternate revenue bonds to pay for major park improvements. Dwyer said a previous bond issue has been paid off, leaving room in the budget for another issue that would raise as much as $2 million for park projects.
—Work on the solar canopy at Baker Park’s 19th Hole restaurant is progressing. The next step, Dwyer said, is installation of a gas fire pit.
— The park district is planning to sponsor a photo contest, with four or five categories in which photos can be entered. Dwyer said the winning photos will be submitted to the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ annual photo contest.
