With the opening of Glass City Metroparks’ second phase scheduled on June 9, park officials approved a skating contract as well as amendments to a pair of contracts.
At the May 17 meeting, the park commissioners contracted with Rink Management Services Corporation of Virginia to operate the ribbon at Glass City.
The two-year contract, at a cost not to exceed $100,000, includes a right to renew for successive years.
The company will manage the rink from June 9 to October 1 of this year and from May 1 to September 29, 2024.
Their duties include maintaining an on-site team of one general manager, shift managers, skate rental staff and skate hosts during peak hours.
They will provide all services, labor and materials necessary for its operation. Rental equipment includes roller skates, roller blades, micro kickboards and balance bikes.
The park board also approved a contract increase with the Lathrop Company of $790,000, bringing the total construction cost for the second phase of Glass City to $33.7 million.
The additional money will cover dredge import and seeding work resulting from unsuitable soil conditions and underground obstructions.
Ms. Van Horn explained that Lathrop found hazardous soil at the site, adding it is now in the process of being removed.
It also covers path paving at Front Street and a donor wall, kayak cove concrete, beacon tower lighting, Zamboni electric charger and skate sharpener.
“We are really excited. It’s less than a month until the opening of this phase,” said Jennifer Van Horn, chief planning and capital projects officer.
An amendment to the Lathrop Company, construction manager at-risk service, was approved for Front Street.
The final contract amount is now $6 million.
Good Natured
The park board heard from fellow commissioners Lera Doneghy and Molly Luetke, as well as Ambrea Mikolajczyk, Metroparks foundation board member and Jackie Cummins, membership and annual giving manager.
The women discussed a newly established membership program, Good Natured.
Good Natured is a membership- based community of women, who are seeking to further engage in the outdoors and with each other.
Opportunities will be offered throughout the year to come together for speaker events, volunteer initiatives, and fun outdoor experiences, all with the goal of trying new things, encouraging one another, meeting people where they are at, and breaking down barriers for others along the way.
“We kept the vision of Metroparks in mind,” said Mrs. Doneghy. The Metroparks vision statement is to be “the beacon for conservation of natural resources; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the activation and promotion of spaces that enhance physical and mental health.”
Good Natured brings together a diverse group of women from all walks of life she explained. “It’s just been wonderful.”
“We really started a movement,” added Ms. Mikolajczyk. She noted that many of those involved often want to give back to their community but don’t know how. This opened that window for them, she explained.
Funds raised through membership are used to assist Metroparks with life-changing memories and connections to the parks.
Ms. Luetke said members are given up to three choices of projects to fund each year, and this year, they chose to fund improvements to Ravine Park in East Toledo.
The 150 members raised $16,000 which will go toward new play equipment at the park.
Membership is $10 per month or $120 per year, said Ms. Cummins.
Other Business
In other business, the park board:
•Agreed to participate in the community charging and fueling program for electric vehicles. The program funds up to 80 percent of the total project cost and requires a 20 percent match.
The goal of the program is to have electrical charging stations within 10 minutes of every Lucas county resident, explained Matt Killiam, chief outreach officer, adding, “It is a big undertaking.”
•Contracted with Bodie Mechanical Services, Inc., of Findlay, to replace the alarm panel and perform system upgrades to the fire suppression system in the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve.
Jon Zvanovec, senior project manager, described the current system as “obsolete.”
“It’s time for a full replacement. This was the lowest, best bid and within our budget,” he said.
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of community development, to seek funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Mr. Gallant is requesting a grant award of $100,680, which requires a metroparks 25 percent match. The funding will go toward improvements to Manhattan Marsh Preserve.
•Paid bills for April of $2.9 million.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 28, and is open to the public. The location has yet to be decided.
