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Woodford County approves park upgrades, plans turf and lighting for youth fields
Summary
Fiscal Court heard a Parks & Recreation update on new basketball courts, a Russell Avenue playground installation and plans to install turf and field lighting on youth sports fields; low bids came in under the county's estimate and the court discussed a 50/50 funding split with partner agencies.
The Woodford County Fiscal Court heard a detailed project update from Parks and Recreation Director Rich Victor on newly completed outdoor basketball courts, a playground at Russell Avenue and a proposed turf-and-lighting project for youth athletic fields.
The report said the new outdoor basketball courts, located near the outdoor pool entrance and adjacent to the pickleball courts by the stadium, now have LED pole lights that operate from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a 45-minute runtime per activation and new rims installed. Russell Avenue Park’s playground was described as under construction and could be finished "this week" if schedule and materials align.
Victor told the court that the larger youth-field project — described as turf replacement and lighting for youth baseball and multipurpose fields — had been estimated at $2.4 million. He said the aggregate low bids came in slightly under that estimate and that the Parks & Rec board approved the low bids; the fiscal court’s share under the proposed 50/50 funding arrangement was stated in the meeting as $1,194,008.65. Victor said the plan is to begin construction after the fall season ends with a target completion and opening no later than April of the coming year. He also provided a separate estimate for the stadium turf replacement (used by the local high school) and noted the stadium turf bid is a separate item from the special projects.
During discussion Judge Kaye and magistrates praised project management and said they were exploring partnerships with the city and the school district to share costs. The judge said bonding the projects remains an option to spread costs over time if all partners agree; he said bonding was being discussed but no final decision had been made.
The court also discussed an agreement to allow a community group to lease and operate a county-owned baseball/softball facility. The county attorney was directed to draft a lease for the organization to review; the draft would include a proposed annual lease fee of $500 for the lessee’s review ahead of that organization’s upcoming board meeting. The court voted to direct the county attorney to prepare the lease, and the motion carried unanimously.
No final construction contract signatures for the youth fields were recorded in the discussion at this meeting. Victor clarified that work on two baseball fields would begin sooner than the multipurpose turf field used for youth football, which will wait until the football season concludes in November.
The judge encouraged residents with questions to contact Director Victor. The court did not set a specific construction start date at this meeting beyond the general timing described by Victor.
