Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks director to leave; pool renovation, turf ribbon cutting and bike-loop placeholder outlined
Summary
Director Elise announced her departure (last day Oct. 3). Staff outlined pool renovation bidding and phased construction to avoid a full-season closure, confirmed a Sept. 19 turf field ribbon cutting (first use Sept. 20), and noted a Shaw-to-Michigan loop extension was placed as a CIP placeholder for future review.
Elise, director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, told the advisory board this was her last meeting; she said her last day with the City of Lawrence would be Oct. 3 and that Lindsay would serve as interim director. "This is my last meeting as the director of park recreation and culture. My last day here in the city of Lawrence will be October 3," she said.
Elise reviewed capital projects: the aquatics renovation is out to bid with a Sept. 16 closing and a potential City Commission award on Oct. 7. Staff described a phased construction plan so the pool can remain available during part of the work: phase 1 targets bathhouse and mechanical improvements with more amenities added through bid alternates depending on funding. Elise said the project schedule could start late fall or in spring, with phase 2 to occur after the subsequent pool season.
She announced a ribbon cutting for the new turf fields scheduled for Sept. 19 at 4 p.m., with the first public use expected Sept. 20. The board discussed traffic and construction near the Youth Sports Complex and learned staff expect additional exits and improved access in 1-2 years as projects complete.
On bike planning, Elise said the proposed Shaw-to-Michigan loop extension had been placed back in the CIP as a placeholder for 2027 while route, property acquisition and funding questions are revisited; staff said an alternate route presented by community members remains under consideration.
Board members asked for more transparent public communications about maintenance and infrastructure work (for example, posting short summaries or time-lapse videos of pool maintenance). Facilities staff described routine maintenance items completed during the pool shutdown, such as grate replacements, pump work, floor surface upgrades in family changing rooms and planned locker replacements.
