Complex improvement plan slowly progressing

Work could soon begin on some components of phase one

The El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex is forging ahead with a master improvement and expansion plan for the complex.

However, board members have agreed to slow the pace of one component of the project as they await word about an inquiry into adjacent property that could be used to expand the facility.

On Friday, Greg Harrison — board chairman and a member of the Union County Quorum Court — said a formal proposal has been submitted to PotlatchDeltic regarding 52 acres of land that it owns just south of the complex.

“This is one of the most advantageous opportunities we have to expand out there. (Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer) helped us out with that,” Harrison said, explaining that the proposal was sent to PotlatchDeltic approximately two weeks ago.

During a meeting last month, board members discussed the possibility of acquiring the land from PotlatchDeltic to better accommodate four youth soccer fields that are included in phase one of the master plan.

Board members are working with a minimum $2.6 million budget, courtesy of the El Dorado Works sales tax for economic development, to implement the first phase of the two-phase improvement project.

Phase one also entails the completion of two existing youth softball and baseball fields on the south end of the complex and new construction for two adjacent fields — all with restrooms, concession stands, breakrooms and Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility; new fencing, turf fields, LED lights, poles, protective netting and a new batting cage for the four fields on the north end of the complex; renovation of the concession stand and restrooms in that area; and improvements for security and entry controls for the facility.

Board members previously learned that A.L. Franks Engineering, who is designing the project, had to reduce the size of the soccer fields to fit the available space in the southeast area of the complex.

The goal is to build four, 50-by-100-yard soccer fields in the area and, as a part of phase two, a college-regulation baseball field.

“They won’t go in the footprint we have out there now,” said Robert Edmonds, director of public works.

Harrison said the design would have to be tweaked again with the available space and there would be a reduction in the amount of parking spaces that would be built in the area.

“I still think we need to wait to get an answer from PotlatchDeltic before we move forward,” board member Keith Smith said.

Board member Avo Vartenian agreed, adding, “The money we’ve got is

We’ve got to figure out where to put them.

Harrison noted that board member Stacy Scroggins, who was unable to attend the meeting Friday, made similar statements last month.

“That’s my gut feeling. Twenty years from now, I’d hate that we tried to save one season when we could have had the best layout we could,” Scroggins said at the time.

Harrison said Friday that the group had hoped to complete phase one by next spring to avoid further disruption of play at the complex and to be prepared for opportunities to draw larger and bigger tournaments, thus addressing to the overall goal of increasing revenue at the facility.

“You also want to do it right the first time. What are we rushing for?” newly appointed board member Chris Nale said.

Nodding his head in agreement, Harrison added, “We’re not going to be ready by next spring, even if we started now.”

Years ago, Potlatch donated the land on the south end of the complex, where two fields were subsequently built, southwest of the Dumas pavilion, bringing the total number of fields to six at the complex.

Board members are looking to add two more fields in the area and then shift eastward for the soccer and college baseball fields and additional parking space.

The complex board is in talks with Potlatch about purchasing the 52 acres.

Advisory board member Phillip Lansdell suggested that the soccer fields be pushed into the latter stages of phase one, saying, “By then, you should have an answer from Potlatch. You can proceed with everything else.”

Board members have solicited bids for other components of phase one and in June, bids came in at $561,150 for turf installation; $570,000 for LED lighting installation; and $698,665 for fencing and grading improvements.

Jason Haley, of A.L. Franks, told commissioners last month there were some inconsistencies among bid prices for the LED lighting and that component of the project was rebid.

On Friday, A.L. Franks engineer Cody Stringer said a new low-bid of $565,000 had been submitted by the Louisiana-based GeoSport Lighting System, LLC.

Edmonds said a preconstruction meeting is set for Monday and a notice to proceed with the work for which bids have approved is expected to follow immediately afterward.

The board is also planning to apply for a state grant, which if awarded, could be used to assist with the master plan, particularly with the new concession stand on the south end of the complex.

Board members have said the estimated cost of the concession stand — $400,000 — would exceed the $2.6 million budget.