Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Young Tigers Football organization received permission from the parents of the late David Fribley to name the football field at Richardson-DuBois Park after the late Marine. Fribley, an U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal, was the first native Hoosier killed in action March 23 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Warsaw Parks and Recreation board members heard the request Tuesday through a letter from YTF member Mark Stamper.
From Atwood, Fribley was a former Warsaw Community High School football player and lettered in other sports during his high school years.
Fribley Field's first season of play will be next summer. The field is under development this year.
The board reviewed the department's three budgets for 2004 as presented by superintendent Jon Garber. Garber said the parks and recreation budget is 7.8 percent higher than last year. Personal services (wages and benefits) increased by 5.2 percent, showing an increase in insurance premiums (from $6,500 to $11,000) and a 3 percent increase in salaries.
Repair and maintenance supplies went up by $7,000, to $54,000, to include an electrical upgrade in Central Park; a $20,000 increase in utility services, to $135,000; and $13,000 for new park signs.
Upgrades are planned for the Center Lake pavilion, retiling the floor and installing new wallpaper for $10,000; and an increase of $45,000, to $60,000 for contracted recreational programs and activities such as entertainers, sound support, magicians, children's programming, workshops and conferences.
The last item is a "just-in-case" provision. Currently the park pays about $25,000 for such activities. Donations are sought for entertainment expenses.
A new truck, to replace a 1990 pickup, for $32,000 is in the budget as is the purchase of a "Bobcat" with attachments, also for $32,000, for a total parks and recreation budget of $1,469,490.
The cumulative capital improvement budget (with funds generated through the state cigarette tax) includes $12,000 to the City/County Athletic Complex; $10,000 for Lake City Greenway construction; and repaving the Boggs Park basketball courts with the "glass grid" system for $35,000. The cumulative capital improvement budget totals $60,000, $62,000 less than in 2003.
The non-reverting recreation budget estimate was given as $8,110, the same amount as 2003.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from activities director Janelle Wilson that the Classic Rock Concert went extremely well, with about 7,000 people in attendance. Opening act Random Play performed for an hour, followed by Mark Farner, the voice of Grand Funk Railroad, for 75 minutes.
• Approved a lease agreement with Kelainey's Ice Cream to operate the department's concession stands this summer.
• Heard from Larry Plummer Jr. that the Richardson-Dubois baseball diamond has been moved to the Mantis Skate Park.
Plummer said while the bicycle patrol units are being more aggressive, he would still like to have a police officer on duty in the Central Park area.
Park board members are Bill Baldwin, John Sadler, Cathy Folk and Toby Sumpter. Bob Richmond was absent.
