News : Update on Riverside Park and B.L. Anderson Park Improvements

On Tuesday, Matt Boggess, Director of Vinton Parks and Recreation Department, shared an update on the situation at Riverside Park. Damage to the park equipment itself. The total cost to replace the structure is going to be a little over $200,000. Insurance will be covering 100% of the replacement costs. The cost to replace the burned truck has not yet been determined.

Because of all of the shortages happening across the country, the earliest that the equipment could arrive is December of this year. The plan is that if it arrives this winter to install it in the spring of 2023. Boggess said he is also looking at other options for the area once it is cleaned up. He plans to make some modifications that the undamaged equipment in the area can be used.

He shared an update on the B.L. Anderson Park plans. Beginning next week, May 23, there will be demolition happening of the basketball courts. There will be a new area created/ In its place there will be a brand new basketball court and three new pickleball courts. There will be new lighting added as well. However, the courts will be torn up for a few weeks which Boggess apologized profusely for. But as he said, "This is progress." Plans to get this done have been in the works for months. He said that the new courts have to cure for 35-40 days, so he believes the work will be completed by the first part of July.

Boggess said that the basketball courts over at Tilford Elementary could be used until the park is completed.

The ice rink will be taken out because the concrete has been weakening but it will be replaced with a "modular" rink that can be moved around. It could be moved to the courthouse or downtown for an event, or anywhere else in town. Boggess hopes that it will make it more user-friendly to the rest of the community.

He reminded the community that the pool will be open in a week and a half, and reminded everyone about Party in the Park in June.

Phots: Five buses from South Tama were in town on Wednesday to enjoy our parks as well as the skate center.