Park Board Sells Bonds for Improvements

The Effingham Park Board has approved the issuance of up to $750,000 in bonds to finance Park District operations in the coming year.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff said $440,000 of the amount is to pay down debt certificates on the publicly-funded portion of the cost of the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex. Much of the cost of the complex was covered by private donations.

Althoff said any remaining revenue from the sale of the bonds could allow the Park District to finish work on the skatepark at Hendelmeyer Park, and could pay for replacement of playground equipment at Evergreen Hollow Park. 

Park commissioners heard this week that memberships at the Workman Complex were up a little in January, but Althoff said the biggest news from the complex is the retirement of Pam Koester as aquatics director. He added that the park district is looking for lifeguards to work at the complex.