Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Gentry moves ahead on splash pad
Mayor given OK to negotiate for sports complex property
The council considered a number of sites, but the site to the north of the city was preferred because of its proximity to the city, the price and the probability of future growth in the area, making it advantageous to extend city utilities to the land.
GENTRY — City Council members on April 6 gave Mayor Kevin Johnston authority to negotiate to buy land for a sports complex and to move forward with plans to build a splash pad in the city park on the south side of Main Street.
After reviewing costs of site work needed to construct ball diamonds and soccer fields on city land on the west side of the railroad tracks and east of the high school, the council authorized Johnston to negotiate the purchase of 27.44 acres on the west side of Browning Road on the city’s north side.
With estimates of site work required for ball fields at the parkland south of South Little Avenue, along the railroad tracks, being in the $1 million range, council members determined it might be better to purchase more level land for a sports complex and save the parkland along the railroad for another use which would not require the extensive grading work.
The council considered a number of sites, but the site to the north of the city was preferred because of its proximity to the city, the price and the probability of future growth in the area, making it advantageous to extend city utilities to the land. Also considered was the likelihood users would come into town and patronize city businesses rather than traveling to Siloam Springs or other cities.
Another site on Marion Lee Road, which was less expensive, was considered, but council members viewed the site as too far away from the downtown Gentry area and considered visitors using the facility would just travel south to Siloam Springs rather than using Gentry businesses.
While it would be a little less expensive to do the extensive site work and build on the parkland by the railroad than buying the land to the north of the city and building a sports complex there, being able to have a better-suited site for a sports complex for a small difference, estimated at about $77,000, was viewed as advantageous for the city.
The council also authorized the mayor to continue working with McClelland Engineers and with Flintco, the city’s construction manager, on plans for a splash pad in the Main Street Park, in the northwest quadrant. The site was viewed as advantageous for a pass-through splash pad because of the close proximity of water lines and drainage to the west.
Council member Jason Williams suggested having plans ready to submit for a park grant of up to $250,000 by the August application deadline.
He said having plans in place and the city’s portion of matching funds would put the city in good standing to receive the grant, which would be awarded about January 2021.
Council member Michael Crawford suggested applying for the grant for other park projects and putting the splash pad on the fast track for completion as soon as possible to give Gentry taxpayers something for their additional tax dollars.
Plans shown to the council included a 5,000-square-foot splash pad. The cost will depend on the number and type of features added.