Council hears competing priorities: Fiddlers Park momentum, gym proposal and Iron West fields timeline

Ken (Leisure Services director) briefed the council on multiple recreation priorities, including the Fiddlers Park master plan, Iron West fields and a proposed city gym. He said roughly $2 million is already budgeted for Fiddlers infrastructure and the administration requested an additional $1 million to execute phase‑one items that would produce visible elements for public use rather than just subsurface infrastructure.

On Iron West, staff said the fields are on track to be playable in the spring of next year if current work continues; the restroom and parking finish work was described as funded from impact fees and scheduled for completion in the coming fiscal year. Park Discovery equipment has been installed and staff said they would open limited access once remaining safety curbing and site items are completed; additional play elements were planned for later this year as fundraising continues.

Council members debated how to prioritize limited general funds among parks projects, a proposed gymnasium (the council previously selected the aquatic center site), and public safety needs. Several council members urged keeping Fiddlers Park momentum because outside grants and private support have been mobilized, while others said a gym and indoor community sports facilities serve a different, large constituency and should continue to advance with cost estimates from contractors.

Ken said the city had roughly $2,000,000 in current fiddlers funding and that an additional million would help construct initial visible features; council members noted a shortfall remains against consultant estimates for full build‑out and asked for a more detailed phasing plan. Staff agreed to return with updated construction estimates and a clearer list of elements that could be completed with the proposed additional funding.