After several years of planning, an expansion of the J.C. Reuthinger Memorial park facility in Northwood is proceeding.
“This is a project that’s been on the books for several years,” said Wood County Park District Director Chris Smalley at the board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday.
The stewardship department, which has grown tremendously in recent years, is based out of this building.
“We’re a victim of our own success,” Smalley said.
Andrew Kalmar, assistant director, said there will be a lean-to addition on the south side; there’s already a similar structure on the north side.
The addition will be heated and have three offices. It is expected to cost $170,000.
Kalmar said there were two bidders at pre-bid conference on Tuesday. Bid opening is Feb. 22, with a construction start date in March.
Board member Rebecca Ferguson asked if $170,000 was enough, considering inflation.
“It’s not a complicated building, it’s a pole barn, it’s very straight forward,” Kalmar said.
In other business, the board approved purchasing a Ford SUV for $42,975.
Smalley said the park district has been trying to buy a new vehicle since December 2021. The purchase orders have been either canceled or delayed, due to inflation.
“As you know, the buying of a vehicle nowadays is an adventure onto itself,” Smalley said.
At the end of January, Kalmar found out that another municipality had canceled its vehicle order and the park district could purchase the Ford.
Smalley said that the park district still has another open order for a hybrid Ford SUV that is expected to cost up to $48,000.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Entered into an agreement to continue operating the 10-acre Adams Phillips Pond on East Gypsy Lane Road. This is a joint partnership with the Wood County Commissioners that has been in place since 2004.
• Approved resolutions supporting the Otsego Park basement project.
Smalley said that there are three components: Concrete and masonry repairs, steel fabrication and supports that go in back storage room, and boiler piping/waterline piping running through the corner room.
“We can’t delay addressing it any longer,” Smalley said.
K&K construction masonry will do $22,915 worth of work, including new doors. “You’re getting a lot of bang for your buck,” Kalmar said.
Black Swamp Steel will do the steel work for $10,950.
Downey PHCE will do the repiping for $18,125.
• Authorized moving the stewardship position from pay grade 9, which is $57,886, to pay grade 10, which is $62,296 annually.
• Thanked the Country Garden Club for the $4,000 donation toward the W.W. Knight boardwalk project.
• Heard that 800 people attended the Wild Lights January event at W.W. Knight Preserve in Perrysburg.
That is really a cool event for all ages,” said board President Tom Myers.
• Went into executive session to discuss land acquisition. No action was taken.
Board member Wendy Headley was absent.
