LACIE SILVA
Editor
At the recent meeting of the Kimball Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Alderwoman Lofty provided updates on the proposed new building at the town park, which would serve as a park director’s office and include much-needed bathrooms.
This proposal stems from discussions at a previous meeting. Lofty presented her own hand-drawn plans for the optimal placement of the building, and she assured the board that she had consulted with relevant utility providers, including Keith Garth from Marion Natural Gas and USG. She confirmed that the building would not interfere with any gas lines. Additionally, she spoke with TVA and SVEC regarding power lines and confirmed there would be no impact from their proximity. A perk test had been ordered to assess soil conditions, and samples had been sent for analysis, but she anticipated no issues.
Alderwoman Lofty emphasized that the building must be ADA accessible and aesthetically consistent with other community-use structures in the town. She also submitted a professional rendering by RomTech Engineering Design, which would be used for pricing estimates. However, she clarified that the final building would differ slightly from the rendering, as the structure would be fully enclosed, with blocks reaching the top of the building to avoid exposure to freezing temperatures. The building would feature heating, cooling, and a concrete foundation, with multiple water access points.
A point of contention from a previous meeting concerned the number of bathroom stalls. Mayor Rex Pesnell had expressed that the original proposal seemed excessive and could be done more cheaply with fewer stalls. However, Lofty explained that the number of stalls would adhere to building codes. She proposed five stalls and two sinks in the women’s restroom, while the men’s restroom would have three urinals, two stalls, and two sinks. She defended the necessity of these facilities by noting the long bathroom lines observed during a recent baseball tournament, refuting claims that there had been no waiting.
Lofty also mentioned a future park expansion that would increase access to bathrooms for visitors at the basketball, pickle ball courts, and soccer fields. Additionally, she proposed extending the parking area between 20 and 40 feet, and raising the sidewalk depending on costs. This would serve as a speed deterrent and improve access to both the bathrooms and concessions from the soccer field.
Attorney Gouger advised that before proceeding, the project specifications would need to be finalized, including all details necessary for bidding purposes. Alderman Matthews confirmed that the toilets would be commercial grade, and Attorney Gouger added that converting the storage area into an occupied office might require additional egress planning. While Alderwoman Lofty had used the RomTech rendering for pricing, she clarified that she did not intend to move forward with the company due to their high costs and preferred to work with local contractors.
Attorney Gouger further explained that any bids would need to be based on specifications approved by an architect, with an official seal and signature. Contractors would be able to pick up the bid specs at City Hall or request them via email. He compared the process to the one used for the recent fire hall project.
Mayor Pesnell suggested the board hold a workshop to discuss the details further, and Attorney Gouger mentioned that if the park extension was to be included in the project, it would also require specific details or could be separated into a different project. Pesnell supported splitting the projects, as the county might be able to complete them at a lower cost.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, with the park board, and the project would carry into the next regular meeting on Thursday, November 7.