An effort to build two new youth soccer fields at the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex can now move forward, thanks to a contribution from the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission.
On August 6, commissioners committed $256,554 to complete the soccer fields.
The vote was unanimous among the five commissioners who were present for a specially-called meeting to address the issue.
Commissioners Sanjay Patel and Kelli Harrison were unable to attend the meeting.
For the past several weeks, complex board members have explored options to find additional resources to build soccer fields at the complex, which has eight fields that are designed for baseball and softball but have also been used for Pee Wee football and soccer practices.
The soccer fields are included in phase one of a plan to renovate and expand the complex.
The project is being covered by a $2.6 million commitment from the one-cent, El Dorado Works tax, which is earmarked for projects that spur economic development and improve municipal infrastructure and quality of life in the community.
Phase one has largely been completed. The soccer fields and a new concessions plaza, both of which will be built on the south end of the components, are pending.
Work has wrapped on the other components, including the completion of two existing youth baseball and softball fields and the construction of two new youth fields on the south end of the complex and the installation of turf, lighting and fencing on four older fields on the north end of the facility.
The effort hit a snag several weeks ago after complex board members learned that engineering fees would have to be paid from the $2.6 million budget.
Greg Harrison, chairman of the complex board, explained that fees for A.L. Franks Engineering Inc., who is designing and overseeing the renovation project, were not figured into the budget because board members were initially told that the city has a professional services contract with the Texarkana-based firm.
Board members thought the contract would cover engineering work that A.L. Franks is performing for the complex but after sorting out the matter, A.L. Franks explained that its contract is with the city and not the complex.
The city and Union County contribute to the annual operating budget for the complex. The complex sits just outside city limits on Champagnolle Road and the city owns the land on which the facility sits.
On July 14, Jason Haley of A.L. Franks reported to El Dorado Works Board members that costs for construction, engineering and final inspection fees came to $2.09 million.
Two additional engineering invoices came in following the report, leaving approximately $400,000 in the project budget.
Bids for the soccer fields and concessions plaza exceeded the budget balance and complex board members and city officials agreed that the soccer fields should be prioritized to help generate more revenue at the complex.
The A&P commission subsequently stepped in to offer assistance.
‘Have that project completed’
Commissioners Dianne Hammond, former vice-chairman of the complex board, and Paul Choate presented the funding request during the specially-called meeting August 6.
Hammond and Choate are also members of the El Dorado City Council.
“We have the soccer fields still pending and we lack $256,554 to have that completed. And that includes the lighting so what I would like to do is instead of them just doing the soccer fields without the lighting, go ahead and have that project completed,” Hammond said.
The addition of the soccer fields and improvements to the softball and baseball fields will help open up opportunities for more and larger tournaments, creating more income for the complex, she told A&P commissioners.
Hammond also said the work includes parking lot improvements for the new fields.
Choate said an initial, base bid package of $671,824 had been narrowed down to a deductive bid of $581,000, which excludes parking lot improvements.
“The city is right on the cusp of starting our annual street maintenance program and instead of buying gravel and spreading and packing, we’re going to be using the millage coming off city streets instead of buying gravel,” Choate explained.
Haley previously told the El Dorado Works Board that Entergy was calculating costs for electrical work that will need to be completed to make way for the soccer fields.
Choate explained a $5,000 line item has since been plugged into the project budget to connect three-phase electrical components.
“There will be backup electrical plug-ins for food trucks or whatever and the lighting itself was included in that initial bid,” Choate said.
A&P Chairman Barry Bagwell pointed to past issues with replacement lighting and Hammond and Choate said the project includes LED lighting, which will save on energy costs.
Hammond also said the complex charges a fee for the use of the fields for late practices and other athletic activities that go on after dark at the complex.
Commissioner Alan Meadows asked who handles routine maintenance and repairs for the complex.
Hammond said the complex manager, the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, is responsible for the duties and the Department of Public Works provides assistance.
Milam Construction submitted the low bid of $343,989 for the concessions plaza and complex board members said they would seek additional funding for the project later.
Phase two of the master plan for the complex calls for a baseball field that could be by older teens and adults, possibly to host college games.
Major parking lot improvements are also planned for the second phase.