As the first phase of a major renovation and improvement plan for the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex inches closer to completion, the facility’s board of directors is ratcheting up talks about a strategy for phase two.
Phase one of the two-part plan is being funded by a $2.7 million budget from the El Dorado Works tax, a one-cent sales tax that is earmarked for economic development, infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
The work entails two new soccer fields, two new baseball and softball fields and the completion of two existing baseball and softball fields, all 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.
Phase one was largely completed in 2020.
When the project hit a snag last summer due to unanticipated engineering costs, the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission kicked in an additional $257,000 to complete the soccer fields.
On May 7, Greg Harrison, chairman of the complex board, reported that permanent electrical power has been installed for the soccer fields and Bermuda grass that has been planted is growing.
The fields, which are southeast of the Dumas Pavilion and adjacent to the El Dorado High School baseball and softball fields, are expected to open in the fall.
Harrison asked David Lee — executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, who manages complex, per a contract for services with the city of El Dorado — if the club has begun booking soccer tournaments.
Lee said he does not expect league play to get underway until fall and the club is looking to start scheduling tournaments thereafter.
Lee also said he is working with Robert Edmonds, director of public works for the city of El Dorado, to address and repair an area near the new soccer fields that commonly washes out during heavy rains.
A new concession stand and additional restrooms on the south end of the complex are the remaining components of phase one of the master plan.
Existing concessions and restroom facilities serve the north fields and the concessionaire, also the Boys and Girls Club, is using a portable building as a temporary concession stand for the south fields.
Conceptual designs for phase one of the master plan initially called for a concessions plaza on the south side of the complex that would have included a concessions area, restrooms, an umpires’ lounge/changing room and an office for the complex manager.
However, the complex board changed course on the project amid concerns about how to fit such a facility within the space that is available on the south end of the complex and funding to cover the estimated $340,000 price tag.
After months of discussion, board member Keith Smith proposed the idea of kiosks, similar to the ones that are used by Murphy USA at many the company’s convenience store locations.
Board members agreed that the smaller kiosks would be less expensive and, logistically, they would be easier to install within the allotted space.
Murphy USA later offered to donate two used kiosks to the complex.
On May 7, Harrison said that Edmonds is still working with A.L. Franks Engineering, the engineer that is overseeing the development of the master plan, to come up with cost estimates to lay the concrete slabs and skirting for the kiosks, rent a crane to set up the buildings and install hook-ups for utilities, including water, wastewater and electrical.
Edmonds and A.L. Franks have cited preliminary estimates of $50,000 - $60,000.
Union County Judge Mike Loftin has said the county will cover the costs of transporting the kiosks from Atlanta, Georgia.
An effort is under way to coordinate the arrival of the kiosks with the crane rentals in order to install the kiosks on the day they arrive, Harrison said.
Board members are still looking into ideas for additional restrooms to serve the south fields.
An existing restroom facility near the Dumas Pavilion has a total of eight stalls, four each for men and women, and board members have agreed that more restrooms will be needed to accommodate the growth and expansion of the complex.
Phase two
John Turbeville, who formerly served as chairman of the complex board, asked when parking lot improvements will begin at the complex.
“I’m speaking for a lot of people,” Turbeville said.
The poor condition of the parking lot has drawn numerous complaints over the years.
Harrison said improving the parking lot is a priority for the complex and is a part of phase two of master plan, which also calls for a baseball field to accommodate older teens and adults and a recreational trail.
Harrison referred to a meeting that was held in 2018 with Loftin and former El Dorado Mayor Frank Hash.
Loftin said then that the county would provide the labor for the parking lot improvements.
City officials have since discussed using asphalt that is milled from city streets during the annual street repaving program to improve the complex parking lot and to cut costs on the project.
As a short-term measure, complex board members and the Boys and Girls Club are working with the city to develop a plan to re-stripe the parking lot.
Turbeville pressed for more specific information and a time-frame, saying, “We’ve been talking about this for 10 years.”
He asked board members when they plan to present a funding proposal to the El Dorado Works Board to cover phase two of the master plan.
“I think when the time is right,” Harrison replied.
“I think the time is right now,” Turbeville shot back. “We all know these processes take a long time so let’s get the ball rolling.”
Saying that he was speaking for “1/6 of the (complex) board,” Harrison said he feels the board should wait a year or two to gauge how phase one renovations impact the complex.
Then, Harrison explained, the board could prepare a detailed business plan that would include hard numbers for revenues and expenditures, the number of tournaments and other return-on-investment information.
He also noted that the funding request, if approved by the EWB, would then have to go before the El Dorado City Council for consideration.
Additionally, Harrison said the complex board would have the opportunity to explore other potential resources, such as grants and private donations, that could complement funding from the El Dorado Works tax.
He said the EWB will likely inquire about such efforts while considering a funding request.
“Obviously, the complex is a quality-of-life opportunity. However, we need to generate funds to justify the maintenance of that facility,” Harrison said.
Board member Chris Nale agreed with Turbeville.
“If they’re giving it, why can’t we go ahead and get it started because it’s not going to pop up in a year,” Nale said, referring to the process of drafting the business plan.
Land donation
Harrison also reported that an attorney for PotlatchDeltic is working with City Attorney Henry Kinslow to survey and finalize the deed for land that Potlatch is donating to the complex.
The forest products company has offered four to five acres to the complex to accommodate the southward expansion of the facility.
Potlatch has asked for a land easement as a part of the arrangement.
Complex board members are considering the space as the location for the new baseball field that has been proposed in phase two of the master plan for the complex.
The board also voted to order two truckloads of Alabama topsoil to resurface fields 5 and 6 — softball and baseball, respectively — on the south end of the complex.
Nale broached the topic and Lee said, “It’s something that’s needed eight now.”