|
Tuesday, 02 December 2008 |
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
NEW KNOXVILLE — A local village can expect the return of a landmark to its community in time for Independence Day.
The village of New Knoxville is in the process of selecting an engineering firm for the construction of a new gazebo in the New Knoxville Community Park. The park is the site for many village activities, most notably the Fourth of July celebration.
"We've got a couple numbers from engineers, working on getting state prints put together," Village Administrator Jeff Eschmeyer said. "We're going to hopefully pick an engineer to work with, (and look at) all necessary designs possible."
Eschmeyer said the village received assistance from Hoge Lumber Company in consulting engineering firms that might be interested in the building project. The village is considering the services of Frank Razinger, based out of Lima, and M and K Engineering, located in Russells Point.
"We're hoping to get the engineering going here, (and) bid after the new year," Eschmeyer said, adding the village hopes construction will be completed in time for the 2009 Fourth of July celebration.
The gazebo, consisting of an octagon shape, will be located immediately north of the flag pole and shelter house, potentially on the site of the original gazebo, if the foundation is usable, Eschmeyer said.
The former gazebo, which was torn down in June of 2007 for safety reasons after being deemed structurally unsound, was nearly 15 years old.
"We had a gazebo previously but we had to take down the structure," Eschmeyer said. "Some of the fasteners that held it together were not structured properly."
The village has been in discussion with the New Knoxville Park Association for the past year, to make the project possible, Eschmeyer said.
Cost of the project, which is estimated at $40,000, will be shared by the village and the New Knoxville Park Association. The village will cover its share of the project from the general fund. The park association will finance $20,000, also from its general fund.
The New Bremen/New Knoxville Rotary donated $1,000 to the project during the 2008 Fall Festival.
"We told the village we were willing to give $20,000 for that project," New Knoxville Community Park Association President Paul Morphy said. "We've been helping with input of the design."
A concrete slab sits where the completed gazebo will one day rest. During the previous two Independence Day celebrations, the park association had to rent a
tent.
"For us, a big part of it is the Independence Day celebration," Morphy said. "That's where our bands have performed for all those years."
The primary fundraiser for the park is the Independence Day celebration, Morphy said, adding the new gazebo will be similar to the old one.
"It's a nice centerpiece to the park," Morphy said. "It adds to the beauty of the park." |
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 December 2008 )
|
