Frontier Park Restroom Approved

Visitors may have access to a restroom in by the end of the summer. 

The St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board approved a low bid from Lanco Construction for $378,190 to build the bathroom in the park on a 5-0 vote. Work on the restrooms is expected to begin in June and continue through July.

The Parks Department had asked for bids on two restrooms, one on the north side of the park and one on the south side and had $180,000 budgeted for the projects. But bids came back much higher than expected because regulations now require the restrooms be "flood proof," said Director of Parks and Recreation, Maralee Britton.

“Being in the flood plain has obviously caused us some problems,” said Britton. “When you start talking about anchors, flood gates, and some of those items, that’s the difference.”

The Parks Department opted to build just one bathroom which will be located on the north side of the park, near the Jaycee Stage. The cost for the bathroom will likely be closer to $300,000 after the department approves a series of design changes, ranging from different shingles to different sewer connections, Britton said.

The additional money will come from the $263,000 the city council had allocated for Frontier Park improvements, which could include restrooms and pavilions.  The remaining funding would be used to build two pavilions in the park, one at each end.

City council members have been discussing putting in pavilions in the park for several years. In 2009, a 22-member committee was formed to study the issue.

 The committee agreed on building two 24’ by 24’ pavilions at each end of the park. Britton estimated, based on previous projects, it could cost about $98,000 to build the pavilion on the north side of the park, near the outlook, and $79,500 for a pavilion on the south end of the park.

 The city council is expected to discuss the issue at the work session Tuesday.

Dog Park in Wapelhorst Park

Kim Harnagle asked the Parks Board on Wednesday to consider adding an off-leash dog park to Wapelhorst Park. She said she thinks it may draw people to move to the area. 

"I know there are a lot of people who could utilize it," she said. "I bet there are more dog owners then there are tennis players in St. Charles." 

Parks Board member T.J. Slattery said the benefits mentioned by Harnagle are valid, but the cost to maintain turf, to clean waste and install the park are an issue. 

"I think it's something that because of (Harnagle's) interest, we'll give a consideration to when we do project planning," Parks Board Member John Walendy said.