Parks Department Gearing up for 2013
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Evan Kruegel | 12/27/2012 .jpg)
"It’s been a busy year, the staff did a great job, but now we`re getting ready for 2013. There’s no rest at this point, so we`re planning for next year,” said Parks Director Darin Krueger.
2012 was a big year for park officials, as they were able to spend nearly $1.8 million on projects. Initially, they only planned on spending around a third of that total.
"Originally we talked about doing a couple playgrounds, maybe a bathroom here, and catching up on some equipment, but when the dollars came in, we said hey let`s do as much as we can,” said Krueger.
Even over the winter, the department is bringing in around a half-million dollars worth of sales tax revenue every month. That`s allowing park officials to do something they`ve never been able to do before, save some money for future projects.
"Most park districts have one year budgets and reserves. And coming into this year we didn`t have that, so we`ve put some into reserves because we want to protect the district for the long haul."
While 2012 was a big year, 2013 could be even bigger. The department will continue construction on the rec center, add lights to three major parks, pave Spring Lake park and spend one million dollars on renovations to the Raymond Center. And we can`t forget about the Babe Ruth World Series, which Williston will host next summer.
"Yeah 2013 is going to be crazy. Not only are we doing all the stuff for the park district but we have the Babe Ruth World Series coming. So with all the stuff we`re doing, plus the World Series, plus this rec center that we`re going to open up in early in early 2014, it`s going to be crazy and fun but 13 is not going to be any easier than 12, that`s for sure."
It may not be the best time of year to hang out at the parks, but rest assured. When the warm weather returns, the parks department will be ready.
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