Work removing the Center Lake pier is progressing, Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer told the parks board Tuesday.
Plummer said workers began removing the pier around Feb. 1.
"They set up at the end of January," he said. "They took the whole top of the pier off, took that concrete out. They found out it was filled up with sand all the way, except for the last probably 20 feet of the pier had washed out.
"That explains why every time we drilled in the pier, we felt nothing underneath it," Plummer added.
He said workers were around halfway done with the project, noting work didn't occur over a few days recently due to frigid temperatures.
Plummer said the workers' goal is to have the project completely done by the end of February.
Project Matrix
The board also heard from Plummer about the parks department's project matrix for 2025.
It includes the ongoing pier removal; and installation of new countertops, paint, sound panels and flooring at the Firemen's Building at Pike Lake. Parks employees are doing most of the latter project, with the work on the floor contracted out.
For those projects, the parks department budgeted $400,000 for the pier removal, with $30,000 for the Firemen's Building work out of street/redevelopment funds.

    Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department mechanic George Music (R) was named the January Team Member of the Month. With him is Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner. Photo Provided.
  

The rest of the projects planned for this year with the funding source, amount set aside for the projects, designated workers and estimated time of completion are as follows:
• Addition of sand to beaches by parks employees in the first quarter, $2,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Installation of metal roofs on two cabins at Lucerne Park by parks employees in the first to second quarter, $8,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Installation of bench swings along Center Lake trail by parks employees in the first to second quarter, $17,600 out of grant money.
• Installation of concrete tables and seats along Center Lake trail by parks employees in the first to second quarter, $4,400 out of grant money.
• Installation of trash cans and benches at Kiddieland by parks employees in the first to second quarter, $5,800 out of grant funds and park funds; repairs to the Glover Pavilion stage and plaza by parks employees/contracted workers in the first to fourth quarter, $15,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Replacing the Central Park sidewalk by parks employees/contracted workers in first to fourth quarter, $40,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Adding additional wood fiber at all playgrounds by parks employees in the second to third quarter, $5,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Installation of new signs at campgrounds and the Pete Thorn Youth Center by parks employees/contracted workers in the second to third quarter, $4,300 out of park budgeted funds.
• Asphalting Central Park parking lots by contracted workers in the second to third quarter, $46,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Installation of a new sidewalk at Fribley Field's restroom by parks employees/Warsaw Street Department employees in the second to third quarter, $3,500 out of park budgeted funds.
• Purchasing a new truck in the second to third quarter, $40,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Purchasing a new mower in the second to third quarter, $15,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Putting in a restroom building at Hire Park by contracted workers in the second to third quarter, $80,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Purchasing and installing new playground equipment at Kiddieland by parks employees in the second to fourth quarter, $90,000 out of park budgeted funds.
• Putting new metal roofing on Central Park shelters by parks employees in the third to fourth quarter, $14,000 out of park budgeted funds.
In other business, the board heard parks mechanic George Music was honored as the January Team Member of the Month.
The board's next meeting is 5:15 p.m. March 18 at Warsaw City Hall.