Vandalia Park Board Holds Meeting

BY: Deborah Simcox
The park squirrels have been good citizens this month and have not done any damage to the parks, according to Park Supervisor Kent Torbeck, at the May 9 Vandalia Park Board meeting. The people, not so much. Torbeck reported broken locks on the insides of the bathrooms, and safety issues with adults allowing their children to closely approach the park mowers while they are mowing and their equipment is running. He reported that the pool is getting put in order and that the new diving board has arrivied and is ready for installation. There are still power issues with the bath lights and restrooms, stemming from the installation of the sprinkler system, which was put in over a year ago, and which will require replacement. Also, the “feature pump” which supplies water to the umbrella and slide, needs to be replaced.
Airport Co-Chair Matt Murphy stated that he is still seeking values for the buildings at the airport. Pat Click from McKellar, Robertson, McCarty & Click brought in insurance information and handouts for Board members and should have numbers for the board by the end of next week. The paving around the new hangars is ongoing.
Baseball/Soccer Chair Steve Hawkins announced that all the fields are in good shape and are being used. The practice shed has been maintained by its users and no lights have been left on or doors left open have been reported.
The discussion on playground equipment was continued with Grounds/Equipment Chair Kyle Hawkins, the other Board members and Kent Torbeck. New equipment, if installed, would need to comply with more recent regulations for safety material surrounding each piece. The dimensions of the distance outward from each piece of new equipment would, in some cases, conflict with the current placement of existing equipment.
Financial/Personnel Chair & Park Board Chair Ty McNary mentioned the Old Capitol Foundation Hazel Kelly grant for $50,000 for equipment for Simma Park. A discussion for possibilities including a skate path, but the recommendation was that a skate path should be postponed until the bathrooms are “good” and there is signage for the existing pickle ball court.
Pool/Pavilions Supervisor Lisa Robbins announced an opening date of Saturday, May 25 for the Vandalia Swimming Pool. A discussion on the acquisition of the snacks foods followed.
In New Business, there was a discussion regarding Terry Robbins research on the Tax District Expansion. The Board also discussed the upcoming audit and some options to reduce the cost of the audit. It was decided that a compilation of the figures plus a “scaled down version” of the previous audit would be adequate for this year’s audit.