Park Arthur Gets Set for Pavilion, Lights

Craig Anderson had a full plate of items for Monday night's Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, with Park Arthur making up the main course. The park has $1.1 million in expenditures planned for 2013 to give the park's development a big push, including a permanent pavilion, lighting and paving.

Despite what the weather has looked like, spring planning for the park is underway.

Among the developments:

Pavilion and concessions - Plans were laid out for the board, which asked Susan Becker with Graef Construction to consider moving the site closer to the large baseball field and sledding hill. The center of the pavilion will feature permanent men's and women's restrooms, storage, and a kitchen area that will accommodate refrigeration, sinks and a microwave. Alderman Dan Soltysiak asked Becker to cost out additional venting, in the case where additional cooking facilities would be installed.

Two concessions windows will also be featured, with one facing a covered pavilion area, and another on the side. A second covered pavilion area is likely, but has not been included in the costs. The budget set for the structure is $300,000.

Lighting - The large baseball field lights will be installed, with the ability to allow coaches to turn the lights on and off, but also to ensure the lights cannot be turned on past certain times of the day. Board members also discussed the lighting planned for the sledding hill, with some concerned on the $25,000 cost. The budgeted cost for the overall lighting was $406,000, but the current estimate from ProTek is at $462,000. Further estimates and alternatives were requested, so as yet the lighting plan is unfinished.

Equestrian Trials - the board approved a two-year agreement between the Four J's and Theisenhusen farms, which abut the park, for use for horseback riding on designated trails in the park.

Gates - Concerns over vandals in the park, specifically prompted the board to request additional gates at the College Avenue and Martin Road entrances. Anderson presented costs for two sets of double-wing gates, at a cost of approximately $5,800. The expense was not part of the park's budget for 2013, but the board approved using the Park's contingency fund to ensure security in the park.

Large baseball field - scheduled to go on line this year, Anderson said bleachers for this and other fields will be delivered this week. Dugouts will be constructed as well to help complete the facility.

Paving - additional lots and paths will be completed in spring, with Waukesha County assisting in completing the College Avenue entrance this year.