In a rare move, the Manhattan Parks turned down a sports complex proposal, with all board members present voting unanimously against it.
Last month, the board discussed a proposal it received from Arete 3 to develop a 10-acre parcel adjacent to Round Barn Farm into a sports complex. The park district would end up leasing and operating the land.
The board engaged in significant discussion and ultimately decided the developer, who approached the park district, should pay half of the cost of the site plan.
Treasurer Joe Farkas explained at the previous meeting that the district already had land it could develop into whatever they wanted when they wanted, and felt it would be unnecessary to spend any taxpayer dollars on the proposal.
After meeting with the developer, it was determined the developer was approaching the project as a build-to-suit plan and would not pay any amount toward the cost of a site plan.
“He sees it as our responsibility to fully get our plans in order and, at that point, we would go to him and say, ok, build it. And we would lease it and operate it,” Manhattan Parks Executive Director Jay Kelly said.
Kelly secured a ballpark estimate for architectural and engineering fees, which would be around $150,000 to $200,000, and Kelly said that would be “just to get shovel ready” and wouldn’t include any costs associated with actually building or operating the sports complex.
“It would be my recommendation — when the time is right — it would be more feasible to figure out where we want to do it, what makes the most sense, and go from there,” Kelly said, indicating he felt it was in the district’s best interest to work with what they had.
After the vote, board member Nick Goodwin thanked Kelly for explaining the finances and how it would all work, as it helped him in his decision-making.
“If you’re looking at the same numbers, which Joe’s comment was, we’d be better situated to do it on our own,” Kelly said.
The board also discussed pickleball and the option of adding courts, whether by converting Central Park’s tennis court or by building new ones. Kelly did not think the interest warranted building a new court.
The district canceled its fall adult indoor pickleball league due to low enrollment. If it had enough enrollment to run, the pickleball league would have been held on Saturday afternoon at noon and 1 p.m.
The park board also heard a presentation from Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association. Supt. Melissa Jensen and Marketing Supervisor Jordan Desiderio went through what LWSRA offers park districts, as well as financial information.
Highlights from LWSRA’s presentation include that it serves a wide range of ability levels, differentiated by skill, and offers a sensory mobile, “Hero’s Village” sensory garden and interactive shed, along with programming and events. Desiderio and Jensen said they have expanded their rec club, as well.
Additionally, their adaptive program is the largest in the south suburbs, Desiderio and Jensen explained. LWSRA also offers intakes for all new families to learn more about their special needs and provides an inclusive environment.
For fiscal year 2023-2024, LWSRA brought in $2.261 million in revenue, with expenditures totaling $2.273 million. They have a foundation with several events planned throughout the year.
Kelly was very complimentary of their programming, noting the “staff are phenomenal” in LWSRA.
In Kelly’s report, he noted the district is making progress in implementing safety recommendations from PDRMA, the company, which conducts risk management for the district.
The nine-hole disc golf course will be opening soon. The district noted some cracking on the new bike paths at Round Barn Farm, but the company that installed them is aware and will replace those sections in the spring. Also in the spring, the district intends to secure additional bids for Central Park pond fountains, as the one company is no longer responding to the district.
The district planted 51 trees of varied species between Round Barn Farm and Prairie Trails Park. Kelly reported Oak Grove is naturally replenishing its trees.
The Round Barn is painted, and a split-rail fence has been installed.
“We are working with the architect on the interior piece,” Kelly explained, noting they may forgo an exterior staircase in favor of two inside.
The interior of the Round Barn is still in the design phase, so it is not anticipated to be ready for rentals until sometime next year, though the time frame is an estimate.
In other news, the district is beginning the process of reviewing and updating job descriptions, and some of those job descriptions, along with the updated personnel policy, were approved.
The board heard its audit presentation by Jasleen Kaur of Lauterbach and Amen, LLP. The district received an unmodified opinion, which is the highest and best audit opinion that can be received.
The Manhattan Park District also received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its ACFR for the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2024.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter