Latest on Workman Sports Courts; Work on Harmony Playground Could Begin Next Week

Effingham Park District Director Jeff Althoff said some of the sport court at the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex will likely need replaced after Wednesday evening's release of water on a portion of the floor.

Althoff said a child was kicking a ball and the ball broke the guard on a sprinkler head, which also broke the sprinkler head. The Workman Complex is equipped with a water storage tank. When the sprinkler head broke, the water was released...all 900 gallons of it...landing on and under the northeast corner of the sport court. Althoff said they will look at different covers for the sprinkler heads that are fire code approved.

The floor is not adhered, it's in a channel to provide for more give and less wear and tear on knees and ankles. The water, though, got in that channel and under the floor and Althoff said the floor feels "wavy" in that area. 

The unaffected area of the sport court is open for use and the rest of the Complex is operating as usual.

Meanwhile, some better news in that dirt work could begin next week, weather permitting, on the Harmony Playground project across Maple Street from the Workman Complex. Althoff said some equipment to be used on the playground has already arrived and is being stored in the former Koerner Distributor warehouse until it can be installed.

Jake Junghanel reported that memberships at the Workman Complex are down slightly since the Heartland Hurricanes swim season ended, but said they are still over 6,000 members. Junghanel also reported that over 40 vendors are expected for the Health and Wellness Expo on April 14 at the Complex.

Althoff told board members that signups for spring and summer Park District leagues and programs are looking good, right in line with last year. He also shared that numbers are growing for Adventure Camp, which got great reviews last year in its first year of operation.

This is also the season for purchase of field care products and athletic equipment, as well as t-shirts and uniforms. Some replacement vehicles...not necessarily new, but newer than they've had...are likely to be purchased.