Sports Briefs

Parks and recreation to apply for grant

Cheney Free Press

Lucas Walsh

CHENEY – Parks and recreations department is applying for two grants from the Spokane parks foundation. These applications are for funds that will go toward installing automatic locks on city parks public bathroom doors, and dog waste stations.

Kelly McGinley-Ashe, recreation director, said “At least once a week our public bathrooms all over the city are being vandalized.”

In past meetings, the department members discussed options to mitigate vandalism. “We have proposed applying for funding for installing locks, which we estimate will cost approximately $8,000.” McGinley-Ashe said. “The vandalizing usually happens after the parks close. Our hope is that having the parks bathrooms automatically lock will prevent vandalism.” McGinley-Ashe

Aquatic center renovation options discussed

Cheney Free Press

Lucas Walsh

CHENEY – NAC Architecture presented city parks and recreation with cost breakdown for either renovating the current aquatic center, or building an entirely new facility.

Each option in the presentation included a cost projection for amenities and “add-on” features such as water slides and a lazy river.

These cost analyses were based on the department’s tentative commitment to stage this project at Hagelin park.

Councilman Paul Schmidt was in attendance to present the department’s budget and said “I think there would be full support from the city council for this project. I mean, we need a pool.”

“When you get your preferred option, and at least one additional alternative, the council can assess the feasibility.”

Due to technical difficulties communicating with NAC representatives, further discussion was tabled until the December meeting. Chairman of parks and recs, Chris Hoppe, said “We want to have a comprehensive presentation to bring before council.”

The full presentation from NAC Architecture, as well as budgetary items, can be viewed at the city of Cheney website.

“The bottom line is, this department needs to decide on a location, whether to renovated and expand, or rebuild, and choose amenities, then we can move forward.” Schmidt said.