By Kellen Olshefski
Correspondent
City of Elkhorn councilmembers voted 5-0 May 13 in favor of removing the current playground equipment at Elkhorn’s Rotary Park soccer complex and replacing it with modular equipment at a cost that is not to exceed $10,000.
According to a memo from City Administrator Sam Tapson, after city staff met with Elkhorn Soccer Club representatives recently to discuss concerns, the city inspected the playground equipment, which was determined to be unsafe and closed pending its removal.
Tapson said at the meeting the club had suggested possibly removing the equipment – which needs to be done either way – and expanding the parking area. He also noted that to replace the equipment with “like-kind” equipment would cost an estimated $40,000 and $50,000.
He said Seigler Excavating offered to remove the playground equipment as an “in-kind” donation, and the removal of gravel and replacement with road rock to create a parking area would be done for the cost of materials only, or roughly $2,000.
“Do you want to maintain playground equipment as an amenity to the families and small children that aren’t playing soccer, or do you want to put in more parking,” Tapson said. “I’ve shared my opinion (in a memo). I think it’s an amenity that ought to be preserved, but if parking’s critical, it’s critical.”
Tapson also noted that playground equipment could be relocated on the property as well – noting that the city doesn’t necessarily have to put in the same equipment – and a modular system that could be expanded in the future is also an option.
However, after learning that the removal of the current playground and replacing it with a parking lot would create about a 30 by 30-foot parking lot, or enough for approximately six vehicles, councilmembers decided they weren’t so keen on the additional parking.
Tapson also noted that since the Plan Commission and building codes don’t allow gravel parking lots, it’s something he doesn’t think the council should allow either.
“Maybe we should just take the old stuff out, put in a couple of modular pieces now and we can always continue to expand it,” Alderman Scott McClory said. “But, if we’re only going to gain six cars, I’m sure somebody’s family needs a swing set or a little slide or something for their kid to do while an older brother or sister is actually playing soccer.”
A motion to remove the current equipment and replace it with modular components not to exceed a cost of $10,000 was approved 5-0, with Alderwoman Karel Young absent from Monday’s meeting.
The topic will still have to come before the Council at a future meeting for final approval.
