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City reports on Borscht Lights, turf fields and honors K9 Pax at council meeting
Summary
City parks staff reviewed Borscht Lights revenues and vandalism, updated council on nearly completed turf field projects at Wheeler and Field 2, and Centralia Police formally celebrated the retirement of K9 Pax with statistics on seizures and deployments.
Parks and city staff gave multiple community updates at Wednesday’s Centralia City Council meeting, including results from the Borscht Lights holiday event, the near‑completion of synthetic turf work at Wheeler Field and Field 2, and a ceremonial retirement for Centralia Police Department K9 Pax.
Amy Buckler, deputy city manager and parks director, said the Borscht Lights program drew about 7,000 cars this season and raised nearly $57,000. Nearly $44,000 will go to a park construction fund for playgrounds, roads and new displays, about $8,000 will go to the Centralia Police Officers Association to support a Night Out with Santa program, and 20 nonprofit agencies received $300 each. Buckler told council staff plan to propose a contract change next year to allow the host organization and nonprofits to receive a larger share of proceeds. She also reported early‑season vandalism that cut some display lights and praised police support in mitigation.
Buckler also updated the council on turf projects at Wheeler Field and Field 2, funded with federal ARPA dollars. She said the work is about 98% complete with punch‑list items and a contract extension on the consent calendar; the fields will be ready by March tournament season. Staff said turfed bullpens were added, and a mesh plug‑in fence that park staff can install was selected as the best solution given wet field conditions and truck loading constraints. A community celebration with the school district and sports partners is planned for early March.
Chief Caldwell presented a ceremonial retirement for Pax, an 8‑year‑old Belgian Malinois patrol service dog partnered with Officer Ruben Ramirez. The chief read a poem and summarized Pax’s service record: 121 vehicle sniffs, 57 narcotics searches, 24 apprehensions and 97 search warrants; narcotics seizures included about 13.5 pounds of cocaine, 34.5 pounds of heroin, 89 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 20,000 fentanyl pills, along with more than $100,000 seized in suspected trafficking proceeds. Pax is retiring with Officer Ramirez, who is also retiring at the end of the month. The council and community members praised the pair’s community engagement and law enforcement contributions.
