Swisher officials map phased repairs for parks: fence, infield and pavilion top priorities

The City of Swisher’s joint City Council and Parks & Recreation Board spent much of the meeting reviewing a long list of maintenance needs at CTIC and downtown parks, agreeing to gather bids and include projects in next year’s budget.

Harman, the parks presenter, told the board the maintenance list had been shared previously and that Public Works had completed only limited work so far; she said an electrician is scheduled to repair the scoreboard and some lights within a week. The presenter and staff repeatedly flagged tournament parking, damaged grass from vehicles, and safety hazards on fields and around pavilions as priorities.

The board identified three near-term priorities: repairing the outfield fence, fixing the infield surface at the ball diamond, and addressing the pavilion roof. A rough infield quote of about $14,000 was cited and an estimate of roughly $4,300 was mentioned for outfield fence repairs; board members asked staff to solicit additional bids and explore volunteer labor and donated equipment to reduce costs.

Speakers discussed short-term fixes where feasible. Council member Cody noted a burned beam in one pavilion that could be patched, while staff recommended camera checks and temporary patching until funding or larger repairs are available. Members also confirmed that bleachers donated to the city are city-owned and therefore covered by the city’s insurance listing.

On parking, staff described options including widening the south side of the lot by two to three feet, reconfiguring stalls (angled or parallel), and long-term paving and striping (chip-and-seal or asphalt). Staff emphasized that chip-and-seal with striping would be the only effective way to control parking at large events and suggested engineers provide rough cost estimates for budgeting.

Board members and staff discussed funding sources: a capital equipment parks fund (listed in discussion at about $42,300), general fund monies, local-option funds and grant opportunities. Laura, who assists with grant writing, was identified as a resource for pursuing grants. Several speakers urged that if the city cannot fix everything at once, leaders should prioritize and budget for phased work so residents see progress.

On the schedule, members expressed a preference to do certain fence work after Youth Sports season ends (an October 19 date was discussed) to avoid leaving fencing down while kids are still using fields. For projects that can be done immediately, the board authorized staff to seek quotes and return recommendations to Parks & Rec for prioritization.

The discussion closed with staff directed to gather multiple bids for fence repair, pavilion roofing (metal roof or reshingling), and infield work, and to report back with estimates the council can consider during the upcoming budget cycle.