Complex upgrades held up As BoArDs fiGurE out FunDInG

The El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex may be closed but conversations and activities surrounding the facility are ongoing.

The complex was the topic of a lengthy discussion during a Union County Quorum Court meeting July 16, with justices of the peace contending that the complex is losing revenue, while other such sports facilities around the state are operating.

The quorum court previously voted to reopen the Complex, which has been closed since March because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a meeting last month, the El Dorado City Council, which handles administrative duties for the complex, opted to keep the facility closed. A motion made by Council Member Billy Blann to reopen the facility “as soon as possible” died due to the lack of a second.

Council members cited liability issues as the virus continues to spread and financial uncertainties that have been raised because of the public health crisis.

Spending for non-essential city services has been under a moratorium since March and the suspension includes a contract for services with the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado to manage the complex.

Council members said they are awaiting an updated financial report to gauge how COVID-19 has affected city revenues.

Two days prior to the quorum court meeting, the El Dorado Works Board heard an update on a renovation and expansion project for the complex.

The first phase of the master improvement plan is being covered by $2.6 million from the El Dorado Works tax, which is earmarked for economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.

The EWB administers the tax by vetting funding requests and the city council takes a final vote on projects that are presented by the EWB.

Completion of phase one

Phase one of complex improvements have largely been completed, with three construction contracts having been closed out by early March.

The contracts included the completion of two existing youth baseball and softball fields and the construction of two new youth fields on the south end of the complex and the installation of turf, lighting and fencing on four older fields on the north end of the facility.

Engineering plans have been approved and the bids have been recommended and certified for the two remaining projects in phase one: the construction of two new youth soccer fields and a new concessions plaza, both on the south end of the complex.

Diversified Construction and Design submitted the low bid of $671,824 for the soccer fields. Milam Construction submitted the low bid of $343,989 for the concessions plaza.

During an EWB meeting July 14, Jason Haley, of A.L. Franks Engineering

Inc., who is designing and overseeing phase one, told board members that the cost of construction, engineering and final inspection fees came to $2.09 million.

Greg Downum, chairman of the EWB, said the most recent financial report the board has received was from April and in a recent discussion with Council Member Vance Williamson, who is also chairman of the city’s Finance Committee, Downum has since learned that two additional engineering invoices came in June.

Downum said approximately $400,000 is left of the $2.6 million budget.

Haley said the nearly $700,000 proposal for the soccer fields is a base bid and the bid package came with a deductive bid of $581,000, which would exclude parking lot improvements near the site where the fields will be built.

The work calls for a gravel parking lot.

“That’s something that’s been discussed multiple times and certainly, we know there’s a need for parking there. That’s something that could be done at a later date. The city has the ability to accept it now or do it later,” Haley said, adding, “It would be graded, it would be prepared so the next thing you do would be spreading gravel.”

Robert Edmonds, director of public works for the city of El Dorado, said the city has come up with an alternative plan for parking lot improvements.

Edmonds said the city will fold the project into its 2020 street improvement plan, which is expected begin within the next few weeks.

“They’re going to grade it and prepare it, full aggregate, and when we start milling streets … we’re going to take that millage out there and dump it so that parking lot can be improved with asphalt instead of gravel,” Edmonds said.

Council Member Paul Choate said the plan will cut costs by about $90,000.

Haley also told EWB that as part of site preparation for the soccer fields, Entergy is going to have to relay some lines to serve the fields with underground power.

“I’d like to tell you that I knew exactly what the cost will be but they have not gotten that far yet. I would anticipate there could be some costs associated with some electricity work there,” Haley said.

“And that would be on top of the $581,000 (deductive soccer bid)?” Downum asked, with Haley answering yes.

‘Pick or choose’

“So it’s pick or choose a project,” said EWB member Avo Vartenian, adding that the soccer fields should take priority over the concessions plaza.

Edmonds agreed, adding, “I would think the priority right now would be the soccer fields — building and lighting the soccer fields. At some point in time, if they want to come back for the concession stand, there may be some other considerations for that too.”

Downum made similar statements and noted that costs for the utility work have not yet been figured into the construction of the soccer fields.

Choate, who is also a member of the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission, said there has been some discussion about the commission possibly providing financial assistance for the work at the complex.

“We need to have an open discussion about that … Soccer draws, doesn’t it?” he asked Vartenian.

“Absolutely, but at the same time, that concession stand is going to be just as important. Soccer is very important to draw the crowds but at the same time, you’re going to want people to enjoy themselves while they’re there,” Vartenian said.

“You don’t want them to hunger (themselves) or dehydrate (themselves) while sitting there in the sun watching soccer and sports,” he continued. “You’re going to have to feed them, get them something to drink and some snacks and you know that’s also a revenue source for the complex.”

Vartenian said the Complex board of directors will have to come up with a game plan to complete the concessions plaza.

Choate inquired about a portable building that is on site on the south end of the complex, asking, “Hasn’t that been used for concessions?”

Vartenian said yes, explaining that the BGCE, who has another contract with the complex to serve as its concessionaire, moved the portable building from its North West Avenue unit to the complex last year to serve as a temporary concession stand for the south fields.

The BGCE has also brought in food trucks to serve that area of the complex, Vartenian said.

Council Member Billy Blann reminded the group that the proposed concessions plaza will include other functions.

Plans call for changing rooms for umpires, public restrooms, office space for the complex manager and storage space.

“I don’t know what’s all in there but you just can’t say it’s a concession stand,” Blann said.

Downum said the EWB will await additional information and a final cost estimate, including utility work, to be presented for consideration of additional funding to complete the phase one.