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Board names Riley Lock property ‘Lock 47,’ updates on Amvets building ownership, sawmill donation and capital repairs
Summary
The parks board voted to name the newly acquired Riley Lock property "Lock 47," heard updates that the department now owns the building at the Amvets site and announced acceptance of a donated sawmill; staff also reported progress on other capital projects including a packing-house area revitalization and building construction at an unnamed site.
The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board voted to adopt Lock 47 as the official name for the formerly known Riley Lock property; the board set a tentative grand opening date for the new park on Sept. 6, pending final preparations.
Board members discussed the county’s recent acquisition of the building near the Amvets site. Staff said the board signed an extension allowing the previous occupant more time to remove belongings; the county now owns the building and staff will determine short-term uses while longer-term decisions, such as demolition or renovation, are evaluated alongside floodway and permitting work.
Capital project updates included a near-complete revitalization of the old packing-house basement area (staff said rain delayed final planting but that the area had been substantially transformed), a new bridge installed near a parking lot and ongoing work on a new building that has brick and windows installed and interior drywalling underway; utilities still require final hookup. Staff also reported an estimate of $40,000 to revamp four lift stations (funding approved in the budget vote) and said a grant deadline extension to August 2026 gives additional time for the Prairie Creek disc-golf course completion.
The board announced it will accept a donated sawmill valued at about $43,000; staff said the donor will retain limited personal use for a week or two annually and that the department will secure training for staff and a liability waiver for the donor’s use. The sawmill acceptance was presented as a donor offer rather than a contested item; no formal vote was recorded specifically for the sawmill acceptance in the transcript but board members expressed support.
Ending: Staff said they will schedule follow-up work on building decisions at the Amvets site, continue capital improvements, plan for Lock 47’s September opening and coordinate sawmill training and transport.
