Received Update On Bathroom Facilities At Lion’s Park
After a brief discussion, the Eureka Recreation Commission (ERC) approved to move the third and fourth grade football program to tackle during their routine monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 26.
“I had a few parents talk to me about the third and fourth grade football needing to be tackle and not flag,” stated ERC President Austin Evenson. “After watching, I believe it needs to be tackle,” he continued. He also noted that he had parents tell him prior to the season that they wouldn’t let their kids play if it was tackle; all while others said they wouldn’t play if it was flag. ERC Director Derek Larcom didn’t believe they would hit hard at this level and shared he agreed with the change.
The ERC unanimously approved the change noting that they would follow the same rules as fifth/ sixth grade tackle football. However, the younger group would not travel. First and second grade football will remain the same.
Larcom also noted a few changes that he believes will come into play for next year’s travel season, including: quarters moving to 8-minute quarters and allowing for punters to kick the ball and the receiver to catch the ball. Other positions were to stay still affording those positions the opportunity to work on that skill. The receiving team would take over possession where the ball is caught/first lands.
Regarding the upcoming basketball season, it was shared that 16 boys and 23 girls had signed up for the third and fourth grade division. Plans are to move forward with a local program, that will begin right after Christmas. A skills camp will be held November 11, 18, December 2 and 9. Kevin Hough previously ran the program, but will be stepping down from that roll; however, he will assist if needed. The camp will be held in two sessions; instead of four with the younger kids beginning at 10 a.m. and the other kids beginning at 11 a.m. Additional details will be sent home with Marshall Elementary students at a later date.
After scoping the plumbing at the bathrooms at Lion’s Diamond, Jim Boone with Boone Plumbing, shared that the lines need to be replaced. The ERC had previously done repairs hoping that the issues were on the topside and replaced what they could. The repairs amounted to approximately $3,000; however, with scope pointing out concerns, the bathroom would need major work. Boone mentioned bypassing the plumbing that is currently in place and creating a new layout for the lines to run. This would allow them to not have to tear out the cement walls between the two bathrooms. Boone believed he could get the facility back to working order for approximately $7,000. Discussion was also held regarding using that building for storage and building a new restroom at a different location at Lion’s Park. Discussion was also held regarding the continuation of using port-a-pots and about the new facility being smaller and being similar to the one at Ohio Diamond. Member Leonard Moore was against this option. “It’s a shame when we have out of town teams come to town and have to use port-a-pots. It’s embarrassing,” he stated. Moore also noted that several years back, the Lion’s Club was looking to build a new facility, but was looking to raise funds for a $100,000 bathroom. “We weren’t opposed to put money towards it. But, not that much,” he stated. “If we have to spend $15,000 to do it and do it right, we are still $75,000 ahead of the building that they wanted (originally),” he concluded. As a whole, the group decided to gather additional figures, with hopes of presenting vari-ous plans to other groups/ entities (including the Lion’s Club, Eureka USD 389, City of Eureka and Greenwood County Commissioners) to see if they were willing to assist in the repairs or new construction of a smaller facility at Lion’s Park.
During their July meeting, the ERC discussed adding a foosball table to the Tornado Activity Center (TAC). Community member Franco Del Pozzo has been working to locate a table and visited with the commission during their September meeting to offer two options. Del Pozzo shared that there is an exclusive table, only available for schools, that the ERC could pursue through Foosball Clubs USA. The cost of the table would be $1,000. The other option Del Pozzo shared included purchasing a refurbished table for $500. During their July meeting, it was shared that there would be signups offered through the school for a foosball league. Foosball Club USA began in 2015 with the express purpose of introducing foosball to schools with hopes of them being used as a tool for helping connect with students. As of 2021, there were 30 school/ youth foosball programs in 10 states. Programs have since been developed to equip non-foosball players to start and run foosball programs in their schools.
The ERC approved the purchase of the $1,000 table back in July and directed Del Pozzo to continue with that plan. However, if delays persist with the supplier, Del Pozzo was directed go the other route.
The minutes and transaction report were approved as presented.
During his report, Treasurer Alan Johnson shared that he was still lacking a W4 and/or K4 from three employees and therefore they hadn’t been paid for their hours, as of the meeting. Once those items are submitted to the ERC, their checks will be issued.
The ERC routinely meets on the last Wednesday of the month, at 7 p.m. at the ERC garage. However, with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the ERC is looking to move their meeting. The date of their next meeting has not yet been determined.
