CITY PARK BOARD OKs PLANS FOR OSAGE AND SHAWNEE PARK PROJECTS

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved a motion Monday to present plans for the Osage Park and Shawnee Park recreation projects to the Cape Girardeau City Council at its March 21 meeting.

"I feel we have fulfilled our obligation after first taking these projects to the city council in 1992," said Parks and Recreation Chairman Jim Grebing.

"The architects who have drawn up preliminary plans for these projects have proposed first-class facilities that meet our needs in every way," said Grebing.

The purpose of the projects, listed in the proposed fiscal 1994-99 capital improvements program, is to "promote recreation as a visitor and tourist attraction and to provide regional and local recreation opportunities."

Said Parks and Recreation board member Jay Crosnoe, "I just want to thank the architects for going back and making the necessary changes to meet the specifications for the projects."

Architect Tony Sebek answered questions concerning the lighting, the roof and parking space as well as adequate cooling for the kitchen area of the Shawnee Park project.

Total cost of the 34,000-square-foot Osage Community Multiuse Building and construction of a five-ballfield complex and four soccer fields at Shawnee is expected to be about $4 million.

Financing for the projects, with a projected carryover from a 1993-94 fiscal year project start, is $3 million from bond revenue.

Concerning ballfield lighting, Sebek indicated a SE2-Level 8 fixture has the same lighting on the field as SE2, but the spill light is reduced 90 to 95 percent, making adjoining fields more playable and safer by reducing the glare.

The disadvantage of the Level 8 would be the low lighting level for the warmup area between fields.

SE2-Level 8 lighting fixtures would cost $2,000 to $2,500 more than the SE2.

Sebek presented an updated drawing on the sports complex building at the previous meeting, then offered a final preliminary drawing on Monday. He reduced the locker area and shower area, and moved the umpires room to give them a private entrance. In addition, larger coolers were added.

Jerry Moss of Musco Lighting of St. Louis recommended, via a video presentation at the last parks and recreation meeting, that metal halide would be the most efficient light source.

The 30/20 candle foot would be the minimum lighting that is used for good recreation sports.

Little Leagues have adopted the 50/30 candle foot for liability reasons. Also, 50/30 candle foot is used for championship level tournament play.

The price difference would be $15,000 to $16,000 per field more for the 50/30 candle foot.

Board member Terry Ashby made a motion to recommend the 50/30 candle foot-level 8 at the Feb. 14 parks and recreation meeting. Board vice chairman Larry Essner seconded the motion and it was passed.

Architect David Alberson showed the parks and recreation board his final drawing of the Osage multiuse building.

The drawing was given unanimous approval by the board members.