There was very little on the agenda for the Alva Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Wednesday afternoon. However, the members had plenty to discuss.

Chairman Shane Hansen opened the meeting with members Gregg Glass, Matt Tucker, Heath Shelite and Gail Swallow present. Absent were Brandon Sherman and Chad Fisher. Also attending the meeting were Mayor Kelly Parker, Alva Business Manager Stephen Ford and Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nesseralla.

After approving minutes of the regular meeting on Nov. 8 and the special meeting on Dec. 5, the members discussed the October 2023 financial statement. Parker pointed out a memo showing the erroneous posting of the fall scholarships claim had been corrected. It has previously been listed as coming from the parks and recreation account under Alva Economic Development Authority. Glass made a motion, seconded by Shelite, and approved by unanimous vote to accept the October report.

When the November 2023 financial report came up, Parker said he wouldn't recommend approval because the cash in investment figure had not been corrected. He explained that the bookkeeper had a personal family emergency which delayed getting that fixed. Commission members were a little unsure about the December financial report too. Both of those reports were tabled.

Director's Report

Nesseralla reported that the turf project is at a standstill due to the weather. She said another change order will be needed on the project. An earlier change order lessened the total cost with a different turf product. This new change order is for cutting and welding the piping that is connected to the chain link fence around the backstops. The pipe will be cut and welded one inch above the existing installation. Some concrete will be removed and the chain link will be modified.

Nesseralla said the change is estimated to add $64,976.46 to the project cost. However, another change will deduct from the total cost because the scoreboard will not need to be moved. Deducting the $30,000 allowed for the scoreboard move means the change to the project cost will be $34,976.46.

She said she'd like to get the price on putting in netting around the backstops instead of chain link. She estimates the cost to go to netting on all eight fields would be about $110,000. She said netting looks nicer, and they wouldn't have to worry about the chain link rolling up.

Commission members talked about the high costs for cutting and welding the piping. Parker suggested they see what self-performing looks like on that work. "It sounds like we could do better," he said.

Hansen said he'd like to see the netting hung to cover the little gap between the awning and chain link so balls don't go through. Glass suggested hanging the netting from the shade structures.

A special meeting will be needed to address change orders.

Nesseralla said soccer enrollment opened online on Monday. Games won't start until after spring break.

Swimming Pool Dedication

Parker described what will be on the program for the dedication and groundbreaking for the swimming pool. The program will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the high school gym. Parker said he will speak and thank those who have had a part in the project. A representative of the Washburn family will speak. Brandon Sherman, a member of the pool task force and a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, will also speak. Parker said quite a few people from across the state will be joining in the event.

He has been assured that some construction equipment will be on site. If weather permits, the work might even begin before the ceremonial groundbreaking. The first work will be demolition of the old swimming pool basin. Parker said Mike Martin and Byron Sherman will be in charge of that work. He said there should be some dirt moving next week.

A pre-construction meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Parker said because a Land and Water Conservation grant is expected to cover certain areas of the work such as the bathhouse and parking, that work can't be started until federal officials do the final signoff.

"It's a very exciting time," said Hansen referring to the pool and the turf project.