Sedalia Park Board Update Provided

The Sedalia Park Board met Thursday, July 11 at the Heckart Community Center, 1800 W. 3rd Street.

Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple provided KSIS with an update on Friday morning.

“The Heckart is doing great, with a little over 7,000 members using the facility, so we're doing really well on membership,” she said.

The gas stove at the Sedalia Senior Center was in need of repair last week and as a result, the senior center was shut down for three days until a part that was ordered could arrive. A cold meal was served on Friday, however.

A senior appreciation day drew over 150 people to the Heckart Center, Epple noted.

Parks & Rec's annual Fourth of July celebration was pushed back 24 hours to the Fifth of July due to a rainy weather forecast. As it turned out, the weather was just fine. But Epple explained that the fireworks company requires a 24-hour notice if there is going to be a postponement. Otherwise, there is a penalty of up to $5,000 for any last-minute cancellations.

So on the fifth, there was the Firecracker Mile at 7 a.m., a parade in downtown Sedalia at 10, a free picnic with live music at Liberty Park at 11 a.m., and free fireworks at the Missouri State Fairgrounds at 9:30 p.m.

At the picnic, Epple said over 1100 people were served.

The Sedalia Lions Club will be working on Mini-Pak #2 at Katy Park. Epple noted that she will have more information on that in August.

Some of the highlights included in the Park Board's monthy report on the Heckart Community Center show that check-ins for June totaled 17,239, up from 16,898 in May. In April that figure was 17,140.

Web and online transactions totaled $23,498 in June, up from $16,880 in June of 2023, and up from 9,475 in June of 2022. (The HCC opened in March of 2022)

Convention Hall rental revenue was $900 in June, according to Assistant Director Courtney Fry.

At the HCC, that figure was $4,370 for June.

As for shelter rentals in the parks, June was down when compared with previous years, Fry said, but fees collected are up due to an increase in shelter rental prices.

In June there were 112 shelter rentals, bringing in a total of $3,500 in revenue. That compares with 180 rentals last year, which generated $2,947.50 in fees collected.

In his report, Jeff Coleman, maintenance superintendent, vandalism in an ongoing program in the parks, with damage to plumbing and electrical infrastructures. In addition, there was graffiti to remove at the playgrounds.

Some of the HVAC units at the Heckart are now working again after parts finally arrived that were previously ordered.

A new zero-turn mower that Park Board purchased has arrived and Coleman said that workers are very appreciative, because it makes their job easier and more cost effective.

Recent storms damaged several trees in the parks, and workers cleaned up the debris.

Metal roofing at Liberty Shelter #1 has been removed to allow for demolition. A new concrete pad will be poured to make way for Christmas decorations.

So many lights have burned out at Centennial Field #8 that Coleman wants to replace them with LEDs, citing the lack of availability of ballasts and bulbs for the old light standards. The LEDs are brighter and use less electricty, he said in his report, and would like to see it phased into next year's budget.

In his report, Matt Harris, parks project manager, noted that Poort Construction was the low bidder for shelter removal at Liberty at a cost of $4800. Other bidders included C&E at $6140, and B&P at $6850.

He also received bids on removal of the old pool and playground at Hubbard Park.

Harris met with contractors about removal of playground equipment at Katy Park.

Sullivan Builders has installed a new metal roof and fascia at Clover Dell's lake shelter house.

Dickenson Roofing is working on a leak at Convention Hall.

According to a report from Clara Boehm, aquatics supervisor, Liberty Pool has been very busy since opening May 25.

Boehm has added an extra lifeguard to be on duty between 1 and 4:30 p.m., and has two pool managers working during peak times.

Attendance for the sponsored swims at Liberty have been positive, with 468 on Steak n' Shake Night – June 5, and 568 on Ship Shape Party Rentals Night – June 12. Figures for July will come in next month.

Adult Swim sees between 20 and 40 swimmers each session, Boehm said.

Classes for swim lessons (June 17-27) were full, she noted, with 11 more on a list to take private lessons. Securing enough instructors to teach the classses are a struggle, however.

“Swimming Under the Stars” had a decent turnout. The next such session is planned for July 27.