As the busy season winds down at the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex, the facility's board of directors is putting the pieces in place to proceed with the next phase of an ongoing renovation and expansion project.
One of those pieces is a request for a long-term commitment from SouthArk to continue using fields at the complex for the college's baseball and softball teams.
The massive renovation and expansion project has been broken into two phases and the second phase calls for a new baseball field to serve older teens and adults; a recreational trail; and expansion and improvements for the parking lot.
New components that have recently been added to phase two call for the possible removal of the Van Hook Pavilion that sits just north of the entrance into the complex to make room for additional RV sites and new playground equipment between fields two and three on the north side of the complex.
Work on the first leg of the master plan got underway in late 2019 and has largely been completed.
Phase one totaled more than $3 million and included the addition of two new soccer fields, two new baseball/softball fields and the completion of two existing baseball/softball fields -- all on the south end of the complex.
New turf, lighting and fencing were also installed on the four older fields on the north end of the facility.
Two used kiosks, which were donated by Murphy USA, have been installed and will serve as concession stands and additional restrooms for the south fields.
Electrical hook-ups have been completed and complex board members are waiting for plumbing to be established in order for the kiosks to be operational by the start of late winter and spring activity at the complex.
An existing concession stand serves the north side of the complex.
Additional restrooms on the south end of the complex make up the final component of phase one.
However, discussions about the proposed project have been tabled as El Dorado City Council members consider expanding existing restrooms that are just south of the Dumas Pavilion.
Last month, complex board member and El Dorado City Council Member Avo Vartenian cited the need for a project manager to oversee the development and implementation of phase two.
During a regular meeting on Nov. 4, Greg Harrison, chairman of the complex board, said he has reached out to A.L. Franks Engineering and GeoSurfaces to help draft a plan that outlines the scope of work and cost estimates that include construction and ongoing maintenance for phase two.
A.L. Franks is on retainer to provide professional services for the city of El Dorado and the complex board has previously worked with GeoSurfaces, a construction firm and manufacturer that specializes in the development, construction and installation of sport surfaces, on the master improvement and expansion plan.
Information will be compiled into a funding request that the complex board plans to present to the El Dorado Works Board to help cover the cost of phase two.
The EWB administers the city's one-cent sales tax for economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
Phase one of the expansion and improvement was covered by nearly $3 million from the El Dorado Works tax, $271,800 from the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission, the MUSA donation and monetary assistance and in-kind services from the city of El Dorado and Union County, both of whom contribute to the complex's annual operating budget.
Harrison said the complex board could also look into applying for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism to assist with phase two.
Other phase two components
He told board members that SouthArk is also drafting a letter of agreement for the continued use of the complex.
In May of 2021, the complex and SouthArk entered into a field-use agreement, which designated fields 4 and 8 primarily for SouthArk's new baseball and softball teams.
The agreement also included options for the college to use other fields at the complex and was good for one year.
Harrison said some city council members had requested a new agreement for a longer term, particularly with plans in the works to build a new baseball field for older teens and adults at the complex.
Board members said SouthArk is among the potential users of the field as a part of an overall effort to draw more tournaments to the complex.
Harrison explained that city officials are seeking an agreement that is similar to the one with the El Dorado School District, who leases space at the complex for its baseball and softball fields and maintains the fields.
Board members and David Lee, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado -- who manages the complex, per a contract with the city --, previously noted that the Van Hook Pavilion does not get much use.
The pavilion, named in honor of former 35th Judicial District Court Judge George Van Hook, is one two pavilions at the complex.
The other, which bears the name of Mike Dumas, former El Dorado mayor and a member of the Union County Quorum Court, is regularly booked for events.
Complex board members have discussed removing the Van Hook pavilion and expanding existing RV/campsites at the complex.
The facility has eight RV sites, which sit east of and downhill from the Van Hook Pavilion, are rented frequently, particularly when contract workers are in town for large industry maintenance projects.
Harrison said Union County Judge Mike Loftin has said the county could assist with razing the Van Hook Pavilion.
He said Loftin also offered assistance in finding another egress/ingress point for the complex. The facilty has only one entrance and exit off Champagnolle Road.
Any local businesses and industries who are looking for community service projects may consider partnering with the complex to donate and install new playground equipment between fields 2 and 3, Harrison said.
In 2016, Clean Harbors donated $60,000 to the complex to purchase new playground equipment that was placed on the south end of the complex.