By Martin Couch
More on the progress of Bishop Park came out after construction reports were discussed in the latest Bryant Parks and Recreation meetings.
According to City Parks Director Jeremy Lemons, the city is down to two park laborers and is going to hold off hiring to fill other positions until the first of the year. He added that there was "substantial completion" on Sept. 9 by Alessi-Keyes workers.[more]
"The retainage fee has not been paid," he stated. "We are still going through the punch list."
The retainage fee is an escrow fund with the trustees at the Bank of the Ozarks. However, the department is still looking for the money to fund pavilions, a playground, skateboard park and splash pad at the pool.
"As long as we can be ready by Feb. 1, then it is only a six-week process," Lemons said.
Park supervisor Derek Phillips suggested the need for AEDs (defibrillators) around the facility and with a $500 grant from First Electric, the park will continue to raise funds for them.
"We are working with Saline Memorial to do a fundraiser," Lemons said. "We have one more payment to Flynco, but we are working on a small punch list for the community center as well as with Alessi-Keyes. Dayco has been working hard to finish and hopes that, by the next Parks Committee meeting, there will be a definite opening date for the pool."
Committee member Casey McJunkins reported on the associations and clubs with the parks and stated that the Bryant Soccer Association had a tournament the previous weekend with 28 teams and they are anticipating another tournament in a few weeks.
"Bryant Athletic Association baseball is up and going," Lemons said. "Ken Palmquist estimated around 22-24 teams. The fencing started going up two days ago and soccer is up and running with a few repairs to the concession."
Kim Fuller of the Bryant Soccer Association also was introduced at Monday's meeting.
"We have around 500 in the club," Fuller said. "There were some problems with the soccer ball going into residents' back yards so the Association was wondering if the Parks Department would install a netting system."
Both Lemons and Palmquist agreed to do this for the soccer fields. Plus, an indoor soccer tournament might not be out of the question in the near future, according to Phillips.
