Kristin Abbs, far, left, a potential park board member, talks to Mary Hursh, a park board member, and Darin Lursen, program director, before the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board meeting Monday, Sept. 11. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer

SYRACUSE — Much of the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board meeting centered on a discussion regarding a new roof for the Syracuse Community Center. During the Monday, Sept. 11, meeting, board members pondered over estimates for a new roof. Several bids came in for the roof, originally estimated to cost about $115,000; however, most of the bids were over that amount. One bid was as high as $211,400 from Master Steel Roofing, New Paris, and the lowest quote was $118,500 from Fine Line Roofing and Construction, Nappanee.

The other bids were $141,380.90, Clearview Roofing, Lagrange; and $157,485, Pro-Time Metal Roofing, Leesburg.

“We’ve got some funds potentially available,” said Superintendent Chad Jonsson, adding $115,000 could come from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act fund. “We have some money in the park improvement fund.”

After discussing the roof project, park board members decided to hold off on a new roof due to the higher bids. When asked if the current roof is okay for another year, Jonsson said “yes, we should be fine.”

Jonsson gave an update on Schrock Fields, which is now complete. The first pee wee football games were played Saturday, Sept. 9.

The day also included ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dick Pelletier Football Field.

Middle school football games started at the end of August.

“We painted the field the day before and cleaned up Tuesday, Sept. 5. “It seems to be operating as it was designed,” he said of the new ball field, adding the parking lot can accommodate 315 vehicles.

There will be trees planted and removed this fall, said Jonsson, who gave the tree board report. He said nine will be planted in the fall at various places in Syracuse.

“We are also developing a (tree) removal list, depending on costs,” said Jonsson.

Henry Ward Park’s rest room and pavilion project is coming along. The new playground will possibly be installed next spring as well as four Polywood picnic tables.

In other news, Darin Lursen gave the program report.

The Harvest Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Lursen said there are 25 vendors so far for the event, which also includes animals, inflatables, obstacle course, games, pumpkin decorating and hayrides. He said close to 30 to 40 vendors will be at the festival.

An indoor garage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Lursen said during registration, “We had 20 people here and so now it is down to six spots.”

A potential new park board member, Kristin Abbs, attended the meeting. A nurse, she has lived in Syracuse since 2018. The board voted to have her join the park board. The final decision now lays in the hands of the Syracuse Town Council.

Jonsson handed out a letter he is sending to commercial mower dealers requesting quotes for a new zero-turn mower. The parks department is also interested in trading in a 2012 John Deere Z950A. The 2012 mower comes with a rear bagging system and has approximately 1,500 hours of usage. Quotes must be received by Jonsson no later than Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Jonsson gave the financial report for August and from Aug. 14 to Sept. 11. He purchased a new charcoal grill for Ward Park for $459.99.

“We’ve got some money left in spots,” he said.

The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at SCC.