Plymouth Park Board welcomes new Park Recreation and Pool Director
The Plymouth Park Board welcomed the new Park Recreation and Pool Director, abby Collins, to the department. On Monday, Collins attended her first board meeting. She is filling the vacancy left when the former director, allie Shook, resigned in august.
Prior to this position, Collins was the deputy Clerk Treasurer.
Park Superintendent Mike Hite said that the department was “very proud to have” Collins as the new director.
“We’re looking for big things, good things. We’re up and running again,” Hite said.
In other Park Board business, Hite presented construction documents and construction administration from the Troyer Group for the River Park Square Phase II project. This is part of the Stellar Communities projects.
The cost of the project is divided in an 80/20 split. The City is responsible for 20 percent of the overall cost, estimated at $140,000. The 80 percent will be paid by the Office of Community and Rural affairs through Stellar. The contract on Monday for engineering fees was $45,900 which would count toward the overall $ 140,000 local match
requirement. Funds for this cost are not coming from Park Department funds, but from the City.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi explained that the board was “advancing these costs. They are hiring the Troyer Group and paying that out of local funds and by doing that we avoid having to do the procurement process.”
Board President Dave Morrow further clarified that the board was getting the project prepared for construction so that it could go out for bid.
The Park Board approved a motion to approve the contracts with the Troyer Group as presented.
Hite informed the board that the new swings at Freedom Park have been completed. He added that there is still some fencing up around some of the disturbed soil.
“The swings are open for business,” Hite said.
The board then approved a refund request from Patty Ortiz for the cancelation of a rental of the Webster Center on Nov. 14. Since the request was not due to COVID-19, a $15 administration fee will be charged.
It also approved a request from the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The request would be to use River Park Square on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. for their annual fundraising event benefiting their Holiday Assistance program.
Saint Joseph Health System asked the department the use of the Webster Center for a free flu shot clinic for the community. At that time, the date was undecided. The board approved the request.