By NATE KING
Salina Post
At its Monday meeting, The Salina City Commission voted to move forward with demolishing the Carver Pool/ Oakdale ice skating rink.
City commissioners voted unanimously, 5-0, to accept the more than $80,000 bid from Diehl Enterprises.
Jeff Hammond, director of Salina Parks and Recreation gave commissioners background information on how the area has been used in the past.
Background
"In 1925 the city allocated $15,000 for the construction of a municipal pool in Oakdale park," Hammond said. "The pool was completed in 1926. It is worth noting that Oakdale Pool did not have a chlorination system. The water had to be emptied and refilled weekly."
In 1956 The city authorized the construction of a new pool — at Kenwood Park. Oakdale Pond also referred to as Carver Pool, was opened in 1948 as a Blacks-only public swimming pool.
In the 2000s the partially filled in Oakdale Pond was used as an ice skating rink.
"In 2012, an art project was undertaken with painting for the Smoky Hil River Festival, which was done by the site of Heart Center, per conversations with city staff, and arts and humanities staff. The artwork was never meant to be preserved and it's decommissioning is not necessary."
Demolition
"We [Parks and Rec.] received three quotes for the Oakdale ice skating rink demolition," Hammond said. "Diehl Construction had the lowest bid at a cost of $77,750."
Hammond explained that the project also includes 5% contingency fee of $3,887.50, making the total project cost $81,637.50.
Hammond noted that the contingency fee was to account for any possible building complications or unforeseen issues related to the demolition.
The project will require roughly 5,000 tons of backfill soil. According to Hammond, the soil will be compacted and graded to match the park surroundings.
"The project involves the removal of approximately 35,000 square feet of concrete slabs and sidewalks," Hammond said. "We intend on going three feet below ground level for the excavation of the current ice skating rink."
Hammond said funding for the project will be financed from the parks improvement fund which is generated from sales tax.
After Hammond concluded his opening remarks, Commissioner Bill Longbine asked him what the space would look like after the demolition is completed.
"It's just going to be a green space?" Longbine asked.
Hammond confirmed that would be the case. City Manager Mike Schrage provided context for possible future uses of the space.
"As open space alone, I think it is an opportunity for the River Festival and arts and humanities to use that space differently," Schrage said. "Then long term we can have some master planning conversations about Oakdale Park in general. That's all something to be addressed in the future."
"I guess I thought it would be more space for more cars at the car show," Longbine said.
Other Agenda Items
● Approval on first reading, a change in zoning for a tract of land at the north end of Berkley Family Recreation Area that will be used to relate the Salina Fire Station No. 4
● Approval on first reading an application to amend the boundary and effective area of the North Ohio Street Gateway Overlay District to add an area of land recently added into the city for the Beck's Hybrid Seed Company Facility.
● Approximately 30-minute executive session discussion related to Salina Destination Development's multi-family housing project, no action was taken