Story by Jemi Chew of The Edge
RICHMOND—Progress is inching along on the regional sports complex, but it’s possible the soccer fields won’t be ready for use until next fall, according to the city manager.
The mega sports facility was supposed to open this month but was delayed after additional change orders. A new opening date will be announced in November, City Manager Rob Minerich said during the Parks Board regular meeting on Tuesday.
However, insulation inspections have been completed, work on the drywall has begun, and two of the three playgrounds will be installed this week, according to Minerich. Other work that needs to be completed includes the installation of gates for the primary entrance and signs for navigation around the park, he said.
Furniture still needs to be purchased and sponsorship packages will be sent out after construction of the park is completed, according to Parks Director Erin Sharp. Additionally, an app will be created to help with navigation around the park as well as promote local businesses nearby, she said. There also will be a new website and email domain set up specifically for the park.
Pricing for usage of park facilities at the complex is still being finalized, according to Sharp. Currently, the Parks Department is considering renting out the synthetic turf fields for $4,000 per day, according to Parks Co-chair Dan McBride.
Facilities such as the basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, as well as shelters, will be available for rent using an online portal, Sharp said. Prices still haven’t been finalized and approved by the City Commission, but will be comparable to rates of similar sports complexes in other states, Sharp said.
The facility has caught the attention of groups such as the Lexington Sporting Club, UK soccer, and regional tournaments, said Minerich. He said the city attorney is researching how to create a Madison County Sports Authority to oversee and coordinate activities at the complex.
“But make no mistake, our local youth sports program will always be our priority with this property,” Minerich said.
Parks Board member Caelin Scott wanted to know if a damage clause will be included in facility rental contracts. Sharp said there will be one.
Trees and trails
During Kentucky Tree Week, beginning October 9, Parks and Rec will plant up to 25 trees funded by a $3,000 grant from the power utilities, LG&E and KU. The location was not named because it will be a private event, Sharp told The Edge in an interview following the meeting.
In celebration of Tree Week, the Richmond Outdoor Committee (ROCK) will host an arboretum walk on October 10 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Maywoods, a tree trivia night on October 15 from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at Dreaming Creek Brewery, a tree day celebration on October 17 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Cardinal Outdoor Laboratory, a maple syrup production workshop on October 17 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Maywoods, and a tree pruning, planting, and care workshop at Armory Park on October 20 from 6 pm to 7 pm.
ROCK will also be hosting an astronomy night on October 8 from 8 pm to 10 pm at the EKU Astronomy Deck, and a cryptid event that will explore local mythical figures on October 24 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Camp Catalpa Park.
Lastly, the Department plans to widen the walking trail at Lake Reba from six to eight feet as well as connect it to the entrance of the park, Sharp said. Money for this project will come from a $250,000 state Recreation Trails Grant.
End of seasons
The Little League season has ended, according to John Kunce who heads athletics for Parks. Fast pitch softball and adult sports also ends this month.
The last Tasty Tuesday took place on September 29 and the last Movie in the Parks, Five Night at Freddy’s 2, will take place on October 9 at dusk in Irvine-McDowell Park, according to Program Coordinator Elizabeth Foster.
Now that pool season is over, the Department is currently accepting bids to paint the pool at Paradise Cove according to Zach Martin, who oversees the City’s aquatic features. Martin said that the pool is typically repainted every two to three years. Adventure Falls will be open on weekends until the water feature closes for the season on October 25, he said.
Millstone, Manga and boba
The Millstone Festival was a success and the street maintenance crew did an excellent job in keeping the roads clean, Sharp said. It is estimated that around 12,000 to 15,000 people attended the festival this year, she told The Edge after the meeting. Minerich said that many vendors sold out and that next year, the City will be able to accommodate more vendors, now that the City has designated additional space on First Street.
An Anime Fest will take place on November 6 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the City’s Teen Center at 325 N. Estill Avenue. There will be sushi, boba, snacks, chopstick games, a make-your-own-manga activity, a costume contest, and the movie, My Neighbor Totoro, will be shown.
Mentors are available at the Teen on Tuesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm. Free Play at the Center is on Thursdays from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Geocaching, which is an outdoor scavenger hunt to find containers called “geocaches”, will be coming to Richmond for a weekend from October 16 to 18 and will be free to the public. More details will be released closer to the dates. The annual Halloween Hoedown is scheduled for Oct 29 on Main Street, downtown Richmond, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
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