Park Board Looks To Revise Leases As Pavilion Damage Continues
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Park Board is considering revising its current lease agreement for its park facilities as damage continues to occur in Center Lake Pavilion.
Warsaw Parks Director Larry Plummer Tuesday showed photos of damage that occurred during two birthday parties at the pavilion this month. The photos showed frames off the walls, scratches on walls and dirt on floors in the pavilion.The park board first discussed at its April 15 meeting extensive damage at the pavilion. Damage occurred in March during a birthday party at the pavilion where alcohol was involved.
The board at its June 24 meeting approved a $525 increase for a damage deposit fee for all events when alcohol is at Center Lake Pavilion. The board also approved requiring those who rent the pavilion to hire an off-duty officer when alcohol is present.
Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter said there were off-duty officers policing the parties this month when damages occurred.
"The officers were hired by the individuals who rented the pavilion and the officer's duties are to keep order," Hunter said.
Hunter suggested instead of requiring renters to hire off-duty officers when alcohol is at the pavilion, have the city hire officers to police events at the pavilion.
City attorney Mike Valentine recommended requiring those who rent the pavilion to be bonded with insurance when signing the lease agreement. Bonded insurance would require the renters to prove, when signing the lease, they have insurance to cover damages.
The board approved looking into incorporating a policy in the lease agreement that would require renters to be bonded with insurance.
Plummer said the parks department has not had a policy on a set-up time for people holding events at the pavilion.
The board approved requiring renters to set up only on the day the event is held at the pavilion.
Also during the meeting, Kosciusko Leadership Academy graduates Kevin Harter, Rob Parker and Al Grossnickle discussed their proposal for a covered multi-purpose ice-skating rink in Central Park.
They said besides ice skating, the rink could be turned into an area for concerts, wedding receptions and craft shows.
The group conducted a survey of where people would like to see an ice skating rink in Warsaw, and the number one response was in Central Park, Parker said.
A capital fund would be made so taxpayer dollars wouldn't be used to construct the rink, according to Parker.
Park Board President Bill Baldwin suggested the group seek an architect. He also requested they provide the board with an idea of a location in Central Park the group is proposing for the ice-skating rink.
In other business, Mike Cox, chairman of the 9/11 planning committee, showed sketches for a proposed 9/11 memorial the committee is considering. Cox said $900 has been raised for the memorial the committee plans to install next year.
The proposed memorial would have two stone pillars to represent the Twin Towers. It also would have a medallion pad to honor police, fire and other emergency personnel who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks.
Ken Locke, 9/11 committee member, said the idea also is for the memorial to honor local firefighters and law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Baldwin suggested the committee come back to the board with the dimensions and exact location in the park they are proposing for the memorial.
