Changes are coming to the Lucas County Rec Center in Maumee.
At a special February 15 press conference, the county commissioners elaborated on plans for improvements to the facility.
Among those improvements will be the demolition of the grandstands at Ned Skeldon Stadium, capital improvements of more than $1 million over a three-year period and development of a comprehensive plan.
That plan will incorporate community input on ways to increase the viability of recreational use at the 70-acre property.
Currently, the acreage houses the stadium, seven baseball/softball diamonds, six outdoor handball courts, a race track used for quarter midget racing, six tennis courts, a football field/running track, paved walking trail and asphalt parking lots.
The site also features two recreation halls encompassing 53,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Commissioners are putting out to bid the cost to remove the stadium. A professional design consultant prepared plans and specifications for the demolition, which is estimated to cost $1.1 million. “The former Ned Skeldon
“The former Ned Skeldon Stadium has been vacant since 2002, and sections of the structure have fallen into disrepair,” explained Commissioner Gary Byers.
The commissioners also are seeking a professional recreational consulting service to determine the feasibility and viability of maintaining recreational use at the center.
The consultant also would be expected to conduct an analysis of current facilities, structures, lease and/or management agreements and possible future programming that would enhance the recreation center’s viability.
Mental Health Levy
At the February 1 meeting, the commissioners approved a resolution of necessity, to place on the May 3 primary election ballot a 1-mill renewal levy for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
The levy will generate $7.6 million annually for 10 years and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $24.20. MHRS provides resident mental health programs as well as alcohol and drug addiction services.
In a related matter, the commissioners approved an extension of the precinct election official leave program for 2022 elections.
Other Business
In other business, the commissioners:
•Entered into partnership agreements for 2022 with Connecting Kids to Meals, $100,000; Pathway Inc., $100,000; the Fair Housing Center, $125,000, and No More Domestic Violence, $15,000.
•Approved a memorandum of understanding between Legal Aid of Western Ohio and the county Juvenile Court to collaborate on a $143,120 grant for victims of domestic violence.
•Entered into an agreement with Dixon Engineering of Medina for exterior coating observations on anaerobic digesters at the water resource recovery facility at a cost of $37,700.
•Renewed five-year licenses and unlimited training contract with ORACLE America at a cost of $24,975.
•Appointed Carly Salamone to fill a vacancy with the Family and Children’s First Council through June 30, 2023; Kwinlyn Tyler to fill an administrative assistant vacancy in human resources with no change in salary, and ElginRogers, human resources executive assistant, $26.86 per hour. The human resource positions were effective February 1.
•Tabled a decision on the purchase of a 2021 Jeep Cherokee from Yark Automotive for Job and Family Services.
•Approved the extension of an agreement between the commissioners and the workforce development board.
~Jane Maiolo
