When the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex Board last met on July 30, board members briefly discussed an offer from a local industry to take on an improvement project for the complex.
Dan Roblee, general manager of Clean Harbors, talked more about the project last week, just days ahead of the complex board's next meeting, which initially had been set for Sept. 3.
The meeting has been rescheduled for noon on Friday at the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado Northwest Unit, 1201 N. West Ave.
In July, complex board chairman Greg Harrison said Clean Harbors is planning to improve the Dumas Pavilion, one of two pavilions at the complex.
The Dumas Pavilion is named for former El Dorado Mayor Mike Dumas, who serves alongside Harrison on the Union County Quorum Court.
Clean Harbors, a hazardous waste disposal facility, has been a longtime supporter of the complex.
As a community service project, the company -- then Ensco -- built the Dumas Pavilion about a year after the complex opened in the spring of 1985.
The company has also donated playground equipment and made other contributions to the complex over the years.
Roblee said Clean Harbors, located on American Road, would like to continue its relationship with the complex as part of an overall goal of "being a good industry partner and neighbor" in the community.
"Clean Harbors is incredibly proud to be a part of the El Dorado and Union County communities. We believe it's our responsibility to give back to El Dorado, which has meant so much to our company for so long," said Roblee.
"But for us personally, the 500 people who work on American Road and live in the area, it's so much more than that," he continued. "Our families use the facility and it benefits everyone."
Clean Harbors' offer comes in the midst of a major improvement and expansion project that has been ongoing at the complex since 2020.
The project is being done in two phases.
Phase one includes 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.
The work is funded by $2.7 million from the El Dorado Works tax, a one-cent city sales tax that is dedicated to economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
The El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission kicked in an additional $257,000 to help complete the soccer fields, which are expected open in the fall.
Adding to the mix is a donation from another local company.
Murphy USA has committed two used kiosks that will be used as concession stands to serve the south end of the complex.
The used kiosks will come with a couple of restrooms and complex board members have agreed that more restrooms are needed to accommodate the expansion and the increased activity that will come with it.
The group is exploring options for additional restrooms, which will complete phase one of the master plan.
Phase two calls for a new baseball field to serve older teens and adults; repaving and expanding the parking lot; and a walking/bike path around the perimeter of the complex.
Earlier this year, board members decided to wait a couple of years to assess the impact of the first phase of the improvement plan and determine if there will be a market to move ahead with phase two.
Roblee said Clean Harbors has been following the implementation of the master plan at the complex and has looked for an opportunity to assist.
He said the company got in touch with complex board member Stacy Scroggins to discuss the matter and company officials agreed that the Dumas Pavilion would be the perfect place to start.
Clean Harbors engineers have inspected the octagon-shaped Dumas Pavilion, which includes picnic tables and grills, to identify areas that could use some sprucing up.
Clean Harbors plans to repaint the pavilion, add new landscaping, restore the existing sign denoting Clean Harbors as the sponsor of the pavilion and update the lighting system with energy-efficient, LED bulbs.
The company is also planning to put down a weed barrier for the playground on the south side of the complex and replace wood mulch with rubber mulch, said Roblee.
David Lee -- executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, who manages and operates the complex under a contract for services with the city of El Dorado -- previously said he has also spoken with Clean Harbors about plans for the Dumas Pavilion.
Lee said he would like to see the Clean Harbors' sign removed from the roof of the pavilion and set on the ground to make it easier for complex workers to maintain.
Roblee said the work is expected to be completed by the end of October.
"We look forward to having the community enjoy the newly renovated pavilion and grounds," he said.
"By providing sports, recreation and playground activities that give kids the opportunity to learn, play and, most importantly, have fun, the complex is truly an asset to our community," Roblee added.