Board president Tom Green said the outdoor kiddie pool hasn’t been fully functional for the past few years due to leaks. “Is it time to put a final dagger in it?” he asked the commissioners. Fixing it or removing it could be costly, but would free up some much-needed space at the facility.
The pool is only open during the summer months, but in 2020 it had another leak and it’s been a struggle to have it fully operational since then, said Director Karyn Sommers-Buck. The board agreed to move forward with demo plans or filling it with sand or gravel and grading it. Estimates will be provided at the next meeting so they can decide the best path forward.
In other meeting action, the board accepted the minutes and treasurer’s report, with questions on the bond interest increase and whether they should get a CD while interest rates are high. More information on rates and terms will be presented at the next meeting. They approved the final budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year after reviewing it at last month’s meeting. Voting on the director’s contract was tabled due to the absence of two commissioners.
In reports, Sommers-Buck said she’s been working on baseball/softball schedules after a coaches’ meeting last week. Team practices will be starting this week and next, and league play will begin May 20. She’s waiting on URICRA and Morrison before getting the final schedules distributed.
Tampico will be fielding and hosting one of the pony teams this year, and the major boys’ team will be playing at the Lyndon fields. There’s a smaller pool of players this year due to EP’s traveling team members no longer being required to play town ball.
A bench, weights, and weight rack have been delivered and set up in the new fitness room. They’re considering the purchase of a batting cage for the facility. Summer activities planning is underway, with staff looking over park district brochures for inspiration, and a report next month.
PLT #3 students will give volunteer hours to the Park District during Community Service Day on Wednesday, April 24. They’ll be working on various items in Lyndon, such as weeding and painting.
Unfinished Business
The pool roof has a few spots that need to be repaired. Sommers-Buck reported that a contractor recently inspected it, but wanted the get the year that the roof was first installed. She’s searching for an invoice but believes it was 2008 or 2009. The typical lifespan of that roof style is 10-12 years, so it’s already past that. She said repairs need to be done this summer due to leaks, and she hopes to have an estimate at May’s meeting.
The next meeting of the Prophetstown Park District Board of Commissioners will be on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m.
Left, the empty kiddie pool in between the tennis courts and indoor swimming pool. Right, water pools in the Park District parking lot after heavy rains. The board has previously discussed parking lot repairs but can’t move forward with improvements until the school is on board as well.
