City in line for park grant
The first phase of a South Park renovation project could begin as early as next spring. The city learned this month it may receive a $309,500 grant for the project. The Wisconsin Stewardship Grant will go toward the Phase 1 cost of the project, which is estimated at $619,000. The overall cost of the project – which will be done in four phases – is projected to be $1.5 million. "It’s an exciting project for the community. It’s a park that’s needed upgrades for a long time," said Russ Montgomery, the city’s parks superintendent and acting parks and recreation director. South Park is the city’s oldest park. It was established in 1907 and was voted Waupaca’s No. 1 park in 2011. City Administrator Henry Veleker said the next step in the stewardship grant process is for it to go through the state legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. He said the committee will look at the planned park project because the grant is greater than $250,000. "It’s typically a routine approval," Veleker said. That meeting is expected to take place in early October. The first phase of the project will include construction of a new shelter/bathroom facility, new playground equipment, picnic tables, waste and recycling bins, benches, utilities, lighting and a fishing pier on Shadow Lake, across from Bowersox Park. Veleker said the important part of the project are the private dollars that have been committed to help fund it. Plans call for a total of $500,000 to be raised in private funds over the next five years to pay one-third of the total cost of renovating South Park, he said. "The goal is to raise the other one-third through grants. We are 60 percent there with this grant," he said. "The balance will be through the city in in-kind labor, materials and a land donation." The city’s in-kind donations would cover about $110,000 of the cost of Phase 1, with $200,000 in private funding also going toward the $619,000 cost. Committed to raising the private dollars is Archie Overby, president of First National Bank, "Henry came to me several months ago with this plan to do some renovations at South Park, to make if more children-friendly, better for children," Overby said. Over the years, whether it has been Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or parks and recreation, Overby has been interested in helping make the community better for young people. He told Veleker that he would be happy to help find private donors for the project at South Park. Overby said South Park is a tremendous resource. "It needs a little buffing and shining," he said. "I’m excited about the project." Next up for the city is to contact engineering firms to do a final plan and design. Veleker said Rettler Corp., of Stevens Point, did a conceptual plan but that a requirement of the grant is to seek proposals. In addition, a committee will need to be established to manage the project. The goal is to seek bids for Phase 1 no later than next February or March. The city proposes to build the new shelter and fishing pier in house; some of that work could take place over this winter. Montgomery said the goal is to build a larger, four-season shelter. "We’ve been talking about it three years," Velecker said of the park project. "It’s speaks to how generous this community is."
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12 Comments for "City in line for park grant"
And yet it needs $1.5MIL in repairs just to make it "more children-friendly".
[quote]Next up for the city is to contact engineering firms to do a final plan and design.
Veleker said Rettler Corp., of Stevens Point, did a conceptual plan but that a requirement of the grant is to seek proposals.[/quote]
Apparently, Veleker doesn't understand what "seek proposals" means, if he's seeking a final plan and design.
[quote]The city proposes to build the new shelter and fishing pier in house; some of that work could take place over this winter.[/quote]
If these employees have time to do all this building -- what are they normally doing over the winter? What won't get done over the winter? Something doesn't add up.
[quote] "It’s speaks to how generous this community is."[/quote]
Yeah - Jim Ash could speak to that.
Seriously, though - what has the community donated for this project? So far, all I see are tax dollars.
lastpercentile Sep 19, 2012 6:02 PM
To answer your question, this is exactly what city (and I assume county but not 100% sure) workers do in the winter. They build things. They assemble things. Part of that new shelter at "Henry (Rotary) Park" below main street was built during the winter. Bleachers at lakemen field and at Swan Park are built, rebuilt, fixed, painted, or assembled.
I'm sure there are other activities in the winter (a lot of it has to do with snow, ice and cold weather conditions) but building things for the city is part of the job.
Letsbereal Sep 20, 2012 12:46 AM
If this work is part of the city budget, then the city can't claim it as an "in-kind contribution" to the project. But the city [i]is[/i] claiming it as an in-kind contribution, so is it in the budget or not?
lastpercentile Sep 20, 2012 8:17 AM
Karma is Karma Sep 20, 2012 10:41 AM
Some of the comments you make are very insightful but most are mean and [b]vintictive[/b].[/quote]
Your own insight would be more credible, if you could spell "negative" or "vindictive".
lastpercentile Sep 20, 2012 11:00 AM
Karma is Karma Sep 20, 2012 4:44 PM
If you sow insults, you reap insults.
lastpercentile Sep 20, 2012 6:15 PM
If this work is part of the city budget, then the city can't claim it as an "in-kind contribution" to the project. But the city [i]is[/i] claiming it as an in-kind contribution, so is it in the budget or not?[/quote][quote=lastpercentile]Your own insight would be more credible, if you could spell "negative" or "vindictive".[/quote]Hey Lastpercentile STFU >:(, You are nothing more then a Modern Hitler >:(!!!! Either you put up or shut up :X already. You do nothing but hide behind a name and a computer. You are a worthless POS that has nothing better to do then HIT AND RUN!!!! Grow up and get a set. If you wanna know who I am,Its not very hard to find me,My name is who I am!!!!
JustinTyem Sep 21, 2012 12:25 AM
[quote]If you wanna know who I am[/quote]
Nope.
[quote]You are nothing more [b]then[/b] a Modern Hitler[/quote]
Godwin's Law invoked.
And you meant to use "than", or your 6th grade teacher meant for you to use it.
lastpercentile Sep 21, 2012 2:49 AM
chesteroowi Sep 21, 2012 6:49 AM
JustBecause Sep 26, 2012 6:13 PM
It's more likely Rettler contacted THEM.
Apparently, that's how construction/engineer companies are staying in business during the recession. They draw up plans, "present" them to a city/township, and convince the councils that they NEED the new construction.
To me, that's backasswards; but it doesn't stop the unsolicited funding - not once.
lastpercentile Oct 03, 2012 12:09 PM