Syracuse Sets Community Center Groundbreaking
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Excavation is set to begin March 5 for the new Syracuse Community Center, to be built adjacent to Lakeside Park.
After reviewing plans for nearly an hour, the Syracuse Park Board approved final plans with minor revisions at its meeting Monday in Town Hall. Bids will be opened Feb. 12, and a special board meeting to approve construction contracts is set for Feb. 19.
All systems are go if the additional $200,000 needed to complete the proposed construction budget can be raised. Although donations continue to flow in, a deficit looms.
"We need $200,000 to reach our critical amount," parks director Mike Hixenbaugh told the board.
The 16,350-square-foot multipurpose facility will have a full-size gymnasium, meeting rooms and a large room suitable for receptions and parties, as well as an area designed for use by seniors. It also will house the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Museum.
The board has tried to anticipate future needs of a growing community while working within a limited budget and setting aside some dreams for the future.
Drawings and specifications were presented by Glen Johnson and Tom Haste of Prince/Alexander Architects Inc., Indianapolis. Haste will serve as project manager.
The board also must decide whether or not to form a building corporation, but delayed action on this until later.
In other business, two Wawasee High School students, Jim Killingsworth and Billy Steinecker, approached the board about building a skate park. They produced a letter signed by 71 fellow students who would use the facility.
"We're not expecting anything big. We know there is a lot of money involved in the community center and the road project," they said, explaining that they go to skate parks in Elkhart during inclement weather and to Warsaw when they can be outdoors.
They added that they want a facility that younger children can use - "something with 4-foot half pipes."
Board member Nancy Deuhmig said, "If there is really this kind of interest, I think that's exciting." She asked about parental support.
Bill Wight, board president, asked about liability coverage, and Hixenbaugh explained that there are national organizations that offer this kind of insurance.
"Once you get the liability answered, the rest is pretty easy and inexpensive," Hixenbaugh said, explaining that he has spoken with the youths and they understand that every project has to begin with an initial step, and their appearance before the board is this initial step.
Wight advised the teens to develop an advisory council comprising parents and youth who can work closely with Hixenbaugh. He suggested circulating a letter asking parents their interest in being involved in fund raising, building and supervising the skate park.
In other matters, Hixenbaugh told the board that the five-year master plan survey is nearly complete. To encourage survey returns, he recommended holding a drawing with the prize being an item valued in the $200 range.
Recently he has been conducting surveys of school children to see what they consider their parks and recreation needs, Hixenbaugh said. Responses show great interest in activities at an indoor swimming pool far outweigh all other considerations. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Excavation is set to begin March 5 for the new Syracuse Community Center, to be built adjacent to Lakeside Park.
After reviewing plans for nearly an hour, the Syracuse Park Board approved final plans with minor revisions at its meeting Monday in Town Hall. Bids will be opened Feb. 12, and a special board meeting to approve construction contracts is set for Feb. 19.
All systems are go if the additional $200,000 needed to complete the proposed construction budget can be raised. Although donations continue to flow in, a deficit looms.
"We need $200,000 to reach our critical amount," parks director Mike Hixenbaugh told the board.
The 16,350-square-foot multipurpose facility will have a full-size gymnasium, meeting rooms and a large room suitable for receptions and parties, as well as an area designed for use by seniors. It also will house the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Museum.
The board has tried to anticipate future needs of a growing community while working within a limited budget and setting aside some dreams for the future.
Drawings and specifications were presented by Glen Johnson and Tom Haste of Prince/Alexander Architects Inc., Indianapolis. Haste will serve as project manager.
The board also must decide whether or not to form a building corporation, but delayed action on this until later.
In other business, two Wawasee High School students, Jim Killingsworth and Billy Steinecker, approached the board about building a skate park. They produced a letter signed by 71 fellow students who would use the facility.
"We're not expecting anything big. We know there is a lot of money involved in the community center and the road project," they said, explaining that they go to skate parks in Elkhart during inclement weather and to Warsaw when they can be outdoors.
They added that they want a facility that younger children can use - "something with 4-foot half pipes."
Board member Nancy Deuhmig said, "If there is really this kind of interest, I think that's exciting." She asked about parental support.
Bill Wight, board president, asked about liability coverage, and Hixenbaugh explained that there are national organizations that offer this kind of insurance.
"Once you get the liability answered, the rest is pretty easy and inexpensive," Hixenbaugh said, explaining that he has spoken with the youths and they understand that every project has to begin with an initial step, and their appearance before the board is this initial step.
Wight advised the teens to develop an advisory council comprising parents and youth who can work closely with Hixenbaugh. He suggested circulating a letter asking parents their interest in being involved in fund raising, building and supervising the skate park.
In other matters, Hixenbaugh told the board that the five-year master plan survey is nearly complete. To encourage survey returns, he recommended holding a drawing with the prize being an item valued in the $200 range.
Recently he has been conducting surveys of school children to see what they consider their parks and recreation needs, Hixenbaugh said. Responses show great interest in activities at an indoor swimming pool far outweigh all other considerations. [[In-content Ad]]