At its December meeting, the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board heard that contractor agreements are complete and the contractor is preparing design submittals needed before fabrication and construction can begin.

The update matters because it clarifies the current project stage and why the public will not yet see heavy equipment on site. Board members were told the next steps are design submittal review, fabrication of structural elements and then delivery to the site when weather permits.

John, a county staff member, told the board: "All the contracts have been signed. All the information is included and distributed. So contractor is ready to go." He said the contractor is preparing the paperwork the county must review before fabrication. "So that's what's going on right now as Nibloc is getting their paperwork for the submittals put together," John said.

John said he had spoken with the contractor and that he and contractor Mike Maggart planned to meet in early January to confirm a schedule. "He and I are gonna get together after the first of the year and sit down and look at the schedule. So I hope at your next meeting, I have a schedule I can present to you and give you further update," John said.

Board members asked whether permits were required. John replied, "Not that I'm aware of because everything's on county property," and noted the project does not cross any streams, which he said reduced permitting needs. The board also discussed where equipment could be staged; John said the contractor was working to resolve that and would request help if needed.

On timing, John said the structures must be designed, reviewed and fabricated before delivery, and that process would likely take "a month or 2," adding that weather now — including incoming snow — will delay on-site work. A board member summarized the immediate public expectation: little visible progress until the weather improves and equipment can be moved to the property.

Board members asked the contractor and county to return with a construction schedule once the submittals and fabrication timeline are set.