Not long after announcing the selection of an architect for the proposed multipurpose building, the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission was presented with a draft funding plan for the project.
At the end of January, the department announced the selection of Hastings & Chivetta, an architectural firm out of St. Louis, for the multipurpose building project. The firm will assist in site selection and initial design, as well as preliminary cost estimates.
The multipurpose building is expected to cost $6 million, which includes site acquisition, architectural fees and building construction. Parks staff have begun gathering information on a number of possible sites for the future building and is working on a matrix for objective evaluation of each site.
The draft funding plan presented at the commission meeting Tuesday outlines more than $3.6 million from the local park sales tax, $460,695 from the capital improvements tax E, $1.15 million from the capital improvement tax F, and $466,991 from the park fund balance. Additional funds are expected to become available after the department reprioritizes or postpones other capital projects.
In other business, the commission approved a number of fee increases at the Washington Park Ice Arena, as recommended by the Recreation Services Committee. Many of the fees, including for public skating sessions, freestyle sessions, and stick and puck sessions, have not been increased for several years, while others, such as ice rental rates, are increased each year.
Most of the increases for skating sessions, such as public sessions, freestyle sessions and ice show
tickets, were raised no more than $1.
The commission also approved a recommendation from the Oak Hills Advisory Committee to allow staff to continue working on holding a new cross country event at the golf course, which also hosts the state Cross Country Championships.
Rich Shilling from TRXC Timing, a timing company used at the state meet, has been working with the department on running a private cross country meet at the golf course in the fall, prior to the state meet. If the event moves forward, Schilling would be expected to take on almost all responsibilities and expenses. The commission's approval hinges on whether all details can be worked out appropriately.
Department director Bill Lockwood said the event would be held about one month before the state meet and the department hopes it would become an annual event.