Change Orders on Workman Complex Will Save Money; Pool Completion Will Likely Follow Opening of Building

The Effingham Park Board Wednesday approved 15 change orders on the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, but the changes are expected to save about $17,000 on the project.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff said the changes will involve less wood flooring around the gym, and carpet rather than another surface in the fitness area, but restoring the glazed block wall rather than a painted wall in the pool area.

Speaking of the pool, excavation work is expected to begin next week. Althoff said the pool work is behind schedule due to continuing dialogue with the Illinois Department of Public Health on permitting for the facility. He said the pool will take six to seven months to complete, meaning the rest of the complex could open around the first of the year with the pool to follow.

Board members also discussed an all-inclusive park to be developed near the Workman Complex. Althoff said he's been working with a group that originally was looking for a swing at a park that would accommodate a wheelchair. That led Althoff, who had already been looking to develop a park near the Workman Complex, to pursue the all-inclusive park. He said many of the kids who would benefit most from the all-inclusive park will be utilizing the pool in the Workman Complex for therapy. Fundraising for the initiative will be getting underway soon.

The Park Board hired Jamie Roy as the fulltime recreation director after working on a part-time basis, and discussed health insurance renewal for employees but then decided to hold off on a decision for now.