After receiving disappointing news about the status of a grant application, the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex Board is regrouping and formulating an alternative strategy to implement a master improvement plan for the recreation facility on Champagnolle Road.
Board members applied in August for a 50/50 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grants Program.
In a letter dated Nov. 26, John Beneke, program director, notified Mayor Frank Hash that the application had not been selected for funding for the fiscal 2019 grant cycle.
On Oct. 25, Hash presented the grant proposal to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grants Advisory Committee, who held hearings then to review grant applications.
ETC Architects and Engineers, Inc., of Little Rock, assisted in writing the grant proposal. Earlier this year, ETC also tweaked the master plan for the complex.
The plan was initially drafted in 2014 by local firm CADM Architecture, Inc.
The maximum amount of the matching grant is $250,000 and the city of El Dorado and Union County, both of whom contribute to the annual operating budget for the complex, previously agreed to kick in the match with cash and in-kind services, had the grant been approved.
During a complex board meeting Dec. 7, Hash and board chairman Greg Harrison cited a 30 percent decrease in revenues for the ADPT Outdoor Recreation Grants Program and a shift by the ADPT to direct grant money toward smaller cities and towns to help fund parks and recreation projects.
“We’re looked at as one of the big dogs and we don’t need the money as much as these smaller areas,” Hash said.
“I understand that, but not only do we need the money and have priorities, we bring in more people being one of the larger cities,” Harrison added.
While complex board members admitted that losing out on ADPT grant money was a letdown, they agreed when Hash implored them to move on to plan B.
Hash said the group should immediately set about putting together a funding proposal for the El Dorado Works Board, who administers the city’s one-cent, economic development tax, and the Union County Quorum Court.
Plan B
“If we can’t get the money from one place, let’s go locally and try to get it,” Hash said. “I think we need a proposal this year, something that will sit well with the quorum court and the (El Dorado City Council).”
The mayor noted that his term in office is wounding down and a new mayor, Veronica Smith-Creer, will soon move into City Hall.
Hash suggested the complex board meet as soon as possible with city and county officials and invite Creer-Smith and new council members Andre Rucks and Paul Choate, all of whom will be sworn in Jan. 1, “to bring them up to speed.”
Hash also affirmed that he will continue to support the project after he leaves office, telling board members that a specially called meeting should be scheduled after the holiday season.
Phase one of the master plan for the complex calls for the completion of two existing youth fields on the south end of the complex and the construction of two adjacent fields, all with restrooms, concession stands, breakrooms and Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility.
Four youth soccer fields have also been incorporated into the first phase, which carries an estimated price tag of $1.5 million.
At an estimated $4.5 million, the second phase includes the addition of a college-style baseball field; renovation of the RV site; a splash pad; and expansion and repaving of the parking lot.
Concentrating on the completion of the youth softball, baseball and soccer fields would be the most cost-effective place to start, Harrison said.
“That would provide an opportunity for the complex manager (Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado) to host more tournaments,” Harrison said. “Youth fields are the better option because they bring in more people.”
Hash said some of the preliminary work on the project can be done in-house.
“We can do some grub work and haul materials out there and have it pre-staged,” he said.
Parking lot improvements — repairs, expansion and adding lighting — are also a top priority, and Hash said city and county crews can also focus on those projects.
Hash reminded board members that the city reclaimed several lights from the former Babe Ruth baseball league field that was decommissioned two years ago at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field.
He said the lights could be used for the parking lot at the complex.
Board members and visitors to the complex have complained that the parking lot is not lit at night and have cited safety concerns.
“We can also begin grubbing up the area where the old (communications tower) came down and start laying clay gravel for parking there until it’s asphalted,” Hash said. “That can handle the overflow of parking.”
The tower, which formerly sat on the southeast end of the complex, was removed in 2016.
Hash also suggested that the complex board meet with Robert Edmonds, director of public works, and Union County Judge Mike Loftin to line out a schedule of in-house work that can be performed by the city and county and when the work can begin.
“We need to start putting some dates on the calendar and formulizing a plan. We need to get some definite timelines here because we’ve talked and talked and nothing has happened,” Hash said. “I think we need to dust off (our proposal) and make it as bullet-proof as possible.”
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.