Park board to scope out architects for ice sheet

Talk about it

The City of Mitchell’s Park and Recreation Board will start shopping for architects to draw up plans for a second sheet of ice at the Mitchell Activities Center.

Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Dusty Rodiek told the board Tuesday during a meeting at the Recreation Center that he will now work with Ice Arena Operations Supervisor Chuck Jones to research architecture firms.

“We’re at the point now where we can start looking for architecture firms and lining up some of the preliminary people in the process,” Rodiek said.

The new ice sheet has not been officially approved by the City Council, and that process could occur in August as part of the city’s budgeting process. The council did unanimously pass a non-binding resolution of support for the concept, and ground could be broken in the spring of 2013.

The $2.5 million project would include a $500,000 contribution from the Mitchell Skating and Hockey Association, with the remaining $2 million coming from the city.

“In order for us to get started, [the City Council] said they would give us the go-ahead,” Rodiek said.

Mayor Ken Tracy has placed a second sheet of ice high on his list of priorities since being sworn in July 2.

2013 Parks and Rec Budget

The board laid out its 2013 budget plans Tuesday night. The department is budgeting for $376,500 in upgrades for next year. The upgrades include:

$20,000 for the resurfacing of the playground at Hitchcock Park.

$4,000 will also be allocated for new outfield fences at the park’s ball diamonds.

$40,000 for the upgrade in playground equipment at Kibbee Park. The city also plans

$30,000 of playground upgrades at Munroe Park.

$5,000 for shelter improvements at Pioneer Park.

$35,000 each for a pair of 4x4 trucks with snow plows, one for the park department and one for the sports complexes.

$40,000 for irrigation replacement on Fields D & E at Cadwell Sports Complex. Chuck Roth, the complex’s supervisor, said those are the two oldest fields at the park.

$50,000 for an 11-foot turf mower for the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.

$34,000 for upgrades to the Mitchell Recreation Center. The department plans to upgrade the lighting in the swimming pool room and upgrade the fresh air roof fan in the Randall gym because the gym does not have air conditioning.

$12,000 to upgrade exercise equipment in the Mitchell Recreation Center, especially a pair of treadmills, which are believed to have more than 25,000 miles on them.

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