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NORTH MANCHESTER - The North Manchester Parks and Recreation board heard from Parks director Brian Wagner Wednesday regarding the department's five-year plan.
"There's been a change in direction," Wagner told board members.
Last month the board approved Earth Plan Association Inc., Fort Wayne, to complete the department's five-year vision plan. Cost for the plan was estimated at $7,650. The plan included goals and objectives, a history and population analysis, public participation, needs and demands and a priorities and action schedule, among several other items.
Wagner said he recently spoke to North Manchester Town Council President Don Rinearson regarding the town's 20-year plan. Wagner said the plan is "steaming right along" and the parks department is included in that plan. So the parks' five-year plan would not be needed, he said.
The town hired Deane Rundell of Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Muncie, to complete the town's 20-year plan. Wagner said Rundell, along with a class at Ball State University, will complete the plan.
Wagner said he will communicate with Rundell and will keep the board informed.
In other business:
• Board members are looking at the possibility of lining the pool and deck with a PVC product to separate the water from the concrete. Total cost for the lining will be approximately $70,620 if spread out over three years, and $63,910 if paid with cash in the full amount. Wagner said the parks department does have money for this project.
"This isn't an emergency fix," Wagner said. "We can go quite a while yet. But we're working our way toward breakdown."
Wagner explained that any time you put water and concrete together, "the concrete is going to lose." The PVC lining "would separate the water from the concrete."
Work may begin either this fall or next fall. No decision was made Wednesday on the lining. The board plans to discuss the project with the town council.
• The next parks board meeting was set for June 27 at 5:45 p.m. in the Seward Memorial Building, North Manchester.
North Manchester Department of Parks and Recreation Board members are: president Anne Myers, vice president Dennis Frieden, parks director Brian Wagner, assistant parks director Donna Boomershine, Larry Miller and Kay Batdorf. Brad Yoder is Plan Commission representative.
