Several Washington Parks Department projects are on or ahead of schedule, Parks Director Darren Dunkle told The Missourian.
Dunkle provided a brief progress update for each of the parks projects currently in progress.
Tennis Courts
Tennis courts at Phoenix Park should be ready for play by the beginning of August.
“Everything is moving pretty well out there at this point,” Dunkle said.
The contract called for completion by the end of June, however, earlier change orders and weather delays have pushed the date back.
Site grading and the water/sewer connections have been made, electrical conduits have been installed and electrical work for lights have taken place. Construction of the restroom/pavilion also is complete.
Light posts and fencing were going up the week of June 11 with asphalt to follow in the next several weeks.
Skate Park
In May, final construction drawings for the skate park at Optimist Park on East Ninth Street were completed.
The parks department is trying to work out the details of a joint purchasing program through the National Joint Powers Alliance, Dunkle said, adding that he hopes to have the details worked out by the end of June.
The association, which the city is a member of, competitively bids on all types of projects, supplies and consulting.
Through the joint purchasing agreement, a savings of 7 percent, or about $20,000, is expected.
Dunkle said construction of the skate park should begin in late July or early August.
“The construction has to be coordinated with the Phoenix Park tennis courts,” Dunkle said. “We want to have a smooth transition from one project to another.”
Park officials are coordinating the two projects and want to complete the construction of six new tennis courts at Phoenix Park before tearing down four existing courts at Optimist Park, where the skate park will be built.
Park officials agreed to this schedule so there will be minimum disruption to tennis players this summer.
All-Abilities Playground
In the next several weeks, drawings for the Jaycees All-Abilities playground should be complete.
Once the drawings are finished, the parks department will go out to bid for the construction phase of the project. Dunkle said the playground is anticipated to be complete this fall.
The project will include several bid packages because the project will include volunteer labor and material, in-house contributions and outside contractors.
Concert Stage
The concert stage and events center at the Washington Fairgrounds continues to be on or slightly ahead of schedule, Dunkle said.
Construction crews are working to put up steel framing for the stage and beginning to put siding on the building.
The project is being done in partnership with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce.
Work began on the project in March and is expected to be complete by the last week of July.
