Contributions to Harmony Playground Continue to Increase

Effingham Park District Director Jeff Althoff told Park Board members Tuesday that contributions toward Harmony Playground continue to increase.

Althoff said $375,000 has been contributed toward a $700,000 goal. He said the amount sought will be reduced, though, once in-kind contributions are received.

Althoff said he'd like to see construction of the accessible park start in mid to late 2017. The park will be located just northwest of the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex.

Speaking of the Workman, General Manager Jake Junghanel told the Board that total memberships have grown to 1,818. That translates to 5,494 people who are members of the complex.

Althoff said December marks one year since the Park District took ownership of Get Fit Family Fitness so year-to-date numbers will be available for next month's meeting.

The numbers indicate that membership even grew during the summer months, which is the exception to the rule for fitness facilities.

Althoff updated Park Board members that the old press box at one of the softball fields at Evergreen Hollow Park has been torn down and will be replaced with a ground level facility. He said work is also underway to re-roof the brown pavilion at Evergreen Hollow Park.

Park Board members passed the fiscal year tax levy, which seeks $1,079,107.80. That's about $50,000 more than what was sought last year.

The Board also approved an amended lease with HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for use of the lazy river at the Workman Complex. The original agreement gave the hospital therapy department use of the lazy river for one hour a day. Turns out that having the hour marked off left some patients feeling self-conscious. The decision is to end the one-hour exclusivity, since it means everybody can the lazy river whenever, and the patients are just part of those attending the complex.